Why Horse Dental Care Is So Important?
The teeth of a horse grow continuously almost throughout their entire life span of about 25 to 30 years. Their natural food mostly consists of grass which has a high content of silica and this causes a constant abrasion of their teeth. The teeth of a horse that lives off just grass get constantly polished. However, horses that are on a more domestic feed like alfalfa and a lesser fibrous diet do not have evenly polished teeth. Sometimes the teeth of such horses end up with sharp points which are more razor-like and may even cut the insides of the mouth of the horse or the fingers of the owner or the vet who inspect the horse’s mouth. This and many other dental problems can trouble your equine friend considerably, so it is very important to pay attention to your horse’s dental care and use the correct dental supplies.
You should know your horse has dental problems if it shows the following signs:
- Excess salivation during eating
- Slow at eating and chewing seems like an effort
- Dropping half chewed food
- Unusually coarse manure
- Avoiding contact with the bit
- Signs or aggression displayed on touching the muzzle or head
It is important to accept the fact that just like people, horses have different personalities too and each may respond in a different manner to any health problem. The best way to take care of your equine friend’s teeth is prevention and regular maintenance. Regular dental care and timely treatment will ensure that no minor problem gets aggravated and poses a major threat to your horse’s health at any point.
Comments are closed!