Jul 10 2010
Teeth The Cause Of Many Horse Health Problems Part One
While many horse owners have become aware of the importance of equine dental care through media attention and increasing veterinary education, the majority might not have a working understanding of the horse’s components needed to chew stemmed roughage But if an educated horse owner needs to make informed decisions concerning health care for their equine companion, he or she needs to understand the basics of equine dentition and how the teeth affect overall health–after all, correct mastication is the first step in the long process of digestion. Armed with this fundamental knowledge of dentition, the owner will be in a position to ask the appropriate questions of their health care provider
A normal mature horse (at least 6 years old) should have between 36 and 42 teeth, depending on gender and presence or absence of wolf teeth. The incisors, the teeth you see immediately inside the horse’s lips, are useful for nipping grass and for defense and grooming, but they have an even more important function in the biomechanics of mastication. Their health, wear patterns, and physical length can determine how effectively the grinding teeth, farther back in the mouth, can perform their job.
Most males have four canine teeth immediately behind the incisors and in front of where a bit sits in the open area of gums. These areas are referred to as the “bars” in Horseman’s language . These teeth are used by stallions in the wild as weapons. They can be quite long and sharp. In the domestic horse it is prudent to smooth any sharp edges to prevent oral injury, particularly from tack pinching sensitive tissue against these sharp teeth.
Occasionally mares have canines, but they are typically much smaller and only on the bottom jaw.
The “wolf teeth” are small teeth that can be, but not always, present just in front of the first large grinding teeth in both sexes. They usually come in at an early age, usually by the time a horse is a year old. A typical horse has two, but one or none isn’t uncommon and horses with four wolf teeth are prevalent.
These small, sharp teeth serve no useful purpose for the horse and can cause discomfort when tack is introduced. Most veterinarians recommend removing them before the horse is introduced to a bit or any headgear. The canines and wolf teeth account for the normal variability in teeth number between individuals.
Continuing our tour toward the rear of the mouth, the next teeth we encounter are the premolars. These teeth, together with the molars just behind them, comprise the roughage grinding apparatus of the horse. These teeth are the workers in the horse’s mouth. Together, the premolars and molars (cheek teeth) total 24 teeth arranged in four arcades of six teeth; two rows on the top and two on the bottom. These teeth are large plus uniquely designed to perform their task of grinding stemmed roughage into a consistent bolus (a chewed mass of food) suitable for swallowing. they have got special corrugated surfaces so as to make their grinding function more effective. Teeth are designed to last the lifetime of the horse, and they will if they wear optimally. On the other hand, disease or abnormal wear patterns can develop, causing pain or shortening the functional life of these teeth.
In addition to the hard tissue structures with the horse’s mouth, soft tissue components play an equally significant role in correct mastication. The horse’s prehensile lips allow him to pick up very small or fine items with great precision and dexterity and move the items into the oral cavity for processing. The lips are incredibly sensitive and can discriminate with mind- boggling accuracy. Any owner who has tried to medicate their horse through feed knows this. How does that animal manage to sift through the medication and take only the feed?! Blame the prehensile lips.
Referneces
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Hopefully this DVD and the accompanying book, will revert riders and trainers of horses to friendlier and more durable methods of training horses. For a good few years a slow but noticeable aversion has spread over certain “modern” training methods. What is this about? Why? Indeed we have swerved a long way from patient, animal friendly expectations of these animals on whom we should feel priveleged of mounting and enjoying every step of a well planned and executed training programme. I first came into contact with the makers of the DVD at a convention in Ireland, where I saw first hand how the amazing 3D animations of the horse’s muscoskeletal system would illustrate it’s natural and man-induced unnatural movement as discussed on this DVD. The result is amazing and should ideally be seen in conjunction with the book.
Mind you all: the DVD is not amusing at all. Instead, it clearly and clinically illustrates todays alarming techniques that have found their way into equestrianism and are supposed to train horses from an outline that dressage judges seem to prefer and admire, having little eye for clear irregularities in the horse’s gaits, caused by incorrect riding and training.
Perhaps, just maybe, the world’s best can practice these training methods safely. But the vast majority of riders and trainers copies them, unwillingly without empathy, without patience and with little or no understanding, repeatedly damaging horses limbs and spine, expecting them to reach a very high level of competence in dressage at an age of only five or just over. Today it is about the quick resale value of the horse, about the glory of the rider, quick fixes seemingly supported by “modern” training techniques. Low and round carriage of the horse’s neck and head during training are seen as proof of submission and an advanced level of competence. Wide spread stupidity and ignorance of riders and trainers and on many occasions a staggering incompetence of dressage judges around the globe is causing massive and wide spread harm to horses’ physique. I see it live, every day, with my own eyes. It is heart wrenching. If horses could speak, there wouldn’t be so many “mysterious” lamenesses. If horses could speak they would tell us it’s their back that makes their walk choppy, not an ailment located in the lower leg. Or indeed pain in a limb caused by a forced way of going. Never mind expensive scientifically proven joint supplements, state-of-the art stable and field blankets, flashy bridleware, designer clothes and impeccably white training wraps. Start thinking all over again: If horses could speak, they would shout at us as by now we are wearing them out prematurely. But they don’t. Nobody does.
A radical change in expectations versus time has to be readopted, as used to generally be the case only half a century ago and as it still is commonsense among a few trainers and renowned equestrian centres. A durable result and continuous health, performance and happiness of a horse can only be realised by reevaluating our training, judging methods and understanding of quality of the horses’ gaits. All persons involved in dressage and basic flatwork training, riding and judging should be aware of the thorough scientific evidence that is so clearly shown on this DVD. The equestrian world is very much on the wrong track not having signalled and halted these wide spread practices, bar some individuals and organisations. Horses would have told us that a long time ago. If they could speak.
Instead they seem to be doomed to let us carry on without us understanding basic biomechanical principles that are so graphically illustrated in this valuable pair of a book and a DVD. Watch, read, act and spread the word and we will be worth the glory we work towards. The glory of the combined performance of truly good training and the amazing willingness and ability of our horses.
Worth five stars as six are not an option.
Severely recommended: Tug of War: Classical Versus “Modern” Dressage: Why Classical Training Works and How Incorrect Riding Negatively Affects Horses’ Health
A very good image of modern riding,a riding only for a succes without regarding the physiological and psychological needs of the horse.Very good 3 dimensional pictures of the moving horse in a wrong and correct riding.
DVD that should be seen by every coach and rider trying to get succes in riding in a more natural way,without torturing the horse.A way that don’t make horse invalids.
Owning a horse is not like owning a dog and cat. They are much more complicated animals. Fortunately for new owners (and older owners who haven’t yet educated themselves), Horse Health & Nutrition for Dummies is there for you. It covers the basics, while delving into more in-depth issues when it comes to taking care of your valued companion.
Great job.
Wow this is a great resource.. I’m enjoying it.. good article
Thanks I’ll recommend to have my barn owner to talk to the vet about Wizard.
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