When evaluating a horse for purchase or just general health, one of the most important things you can do is look at the horse’s mouth. The mouth can reveal a lot about the horse’s age, health, and care. Here’s an overview of why the mouth is so important when assessing a horse.
Determining the Horse’s Age
One of the key reasons to look at a horse’s mouth is to get an idea of its age. A horse’s age impacts its use and value, so you want to have an accurate estimate.
Horses have a full mouth of adult teeth by the time they are 5 years old. The incisors (front teeth) initially come in at around 6-12 months old and are all baby teeth. By age 5, the permanent adult incisors have grown in and replaced the deciduous baby teeth. So just by looking at the front incisors, you can get a general idea of whether you are dealing with a very young or more mature horse.
However, once horses reach the age of 5, it becomes more difficult to pinpoint age just by casual glance. That’s when you need to look more closely at specific dental traits. As horses age, their teeth undergo characteristic changes:
- The enamel shape changes from oval to more triangular as the teeth get shorter from grinding.
- The cups become deeper.
- The enamel rings at the gumline disappear as teeth erupt further out of the gums.
- The center ridges of the incisors may disappear.
- The teeth develop small hooks at the corners of the mouth.
- The teeth take on a yellowed appearance.
There are complex aging systems that allow experienced individuals to narrow down a horse’s age based on teeth. However, once horses pass age 10, it becomes harder to pinpoint exact age just from the teeth alone. Dental aging is most accurate in younger horses.
Why Age Matters
A horse’s age is important to consider for several reasons:
- Use – Age impacts what activities a horse can perform. For example, very young horses should not be ridden hard or jumped until they are physically mature. Older horses may need to transition to lighter workloads.
- Soundness – Younger horses generally have fresher bones, joints, and hooves. Older horses are more likely to develop issues like arthritis that may limit their capabilities.
- Experience – Younger horses have had less handling and training. So their behavior and reliability may be quite green compared to an older, well-trained mount.
- Value – Age greatly influences a horse’s monetary value. Young horses with potential often bring higher prices than older individuals.
- Breeding – Age dictates reproductive capabilities. Mares generally stop being able to produce offspring in their late teens or early 20s.
So you can see why an accurate age estimate is so important when evaluating horses. Even a difference of just a few years can impact usage and pricing.
Assessing Dental Health
The mouth can also give you insight into whether the horse has any dental issues. Here are some things to look out for:
Overlong Teeth
Horse’s teeth grow continuously throughout their lives. In the wild, the grit and grass wear the teeth down at a rate that keeps everything even. But domestic horses often need a little help through having their teeth “floated” (filed down) periodically by an equine dentist.
If the teeth grow too long, the horse may develop sharp edges and points that interfere with chewing. You can usually see this easily by running your thumb along the front and sides of the incisors feeling for hooks and points. Overlong teeth are also prominently visible when the horse’s mouth is open.
Uneven Wear
The horse’s bite should be evenly aligned for proper chewing. So you want to check that the molars meet correctly when the mouth is closed. If some teeth stick out more than others, it indicates uneven wear. This can happen from dental issues or from the horse not chewing evenly on both sides of its mouth.
Loose or Missing Teeth
Generally, a horse’s teeth should be firmly anchored in place. Loose teeth can indicate dental disease, infection, or trauma. Missing teeth also warrant further investigation, as horses should have a full mouth of teeth present.
Discoloration or Decay
A healthy mouth generally appears pink with decent white teeth. Yellowed, brown, or blackened teeth suggest decay. Oral infections may also cause red, inflamed gums.
Odor
There should not be a strong odor coming from the mouth. A foul smell can mean an infection or abscess is brewing.
Growths or Swellings
Notice any bumps, lumps, or protruding tissue on the inside of the mouth. An equine dental specialist should evaluate anything abnormal.
Bitting Issues
Problems with the horse not accepting the bit comfortably may also indicate dental problems like sharp points interfering with the bit. The mouth should quietly accept gentle pressure from a bit.
Signs that the teeth may require dental work include difficulty chewing, dropping food, weight loss, fussiness with the bit, and behavioral issues under saddle. Catching dental issues early allows them to be corrected before they escalate.
Evidence of Prior Dental Care
When you inspect a horse’s mouth, you can also look for evidence of whether the owner has provided proper dental maintenance. Telltale signs include:
- Smooth, flat chewing surfaces with no major points or hooks.
- A bright, clean mouth not encumbered with tartar.
- High quality dental work if any caps or fillings are present.
- Incisors that meet properly due to regular floating.
These things indicate the horse has been well cared for by having regular dental checkups. Lack of such findings may show neglected teeth that could lead to problems.
Assessing Nutrition
You can also gain some insight into the horse’s nutritional program by glancing inside its mouth during an examination. Here’s what to look out for:
- Bright pink gums – Indicates good circulation and overall health.
- No gaps between teeth – Proper contact of incisors allows for thorough chewing.
- Minimal tartar buildup – Suggests a balanced diet that doesn’t promote heavy tartar.
- No staining – A healthy diet results in minimal staining of teeth.
- Good body condition – The teeth can process food effectively.
Conversely, poor nutrition may manifest through pale gums, heavy tartar accumulation, staining, and presence of gaps between teeth that hinder grinding. The horse may also exhibit poor body condition. However, other factors can also contribute to some of these signs.
History of Abuse or Neglect
Dental abnormalities may provide evidence that a horse has been subjected to mistreatment. Signs include:
- Broken, missing, or heavily worn teeth from harsh bitting.
- Damage to the bars, tongue, and palate from rough hands and equipment.
- Malnutrition.
- Lack of routine dental care.
Such findings don’t necessarily confirm abuse but would certainly warrant asking questions about the horse’s background.
Conclusion
There are many valuable clues to be found by taking a few moments to properly examine a horse’s mouth. Age, dental health, nutrition, training methods, and overall care are just some of the insights a careful look at the mouth can provide about a horse. Knowing what to look for and evaluating any findings against normal parameters is an important part of any purchase exam, routine checkup, or assessment of a sick or underperforming horse. So the next time you get a chance to peek in a horse’s mouth, take note of what you see!