location440 Nicholson Rd, Forrestdale WA 6112

Young Horse Owner’s Guide

How often should I visit my veterinary dentist?

Having a young horse is exciting, and dental visits are essential for their comfort and to prevent small problems from progressing into more serious issues. Younger horses also have softer teeth, meaning sharp points on the teeth return more quickly than in older horses, at times causing significant ulceration to the soft tissues within the mouth. As such, we recommend seeing your young horse every 6 months, ideally with their first visit at around 6-12 months of age (prior to any bits being put in their mouth is really important), as long as they are well handled and halter broken. Roughly every 6 months, something is happening within the mouth, whether it be that deciduous teeth (“baby teeth”) are being shed or permanent teeth are erupting. Horses can have up to 44 teeth in total, meaning there are plenty of opportunities for things to go wrong, which is why we like to monitor them closely and hopefully prevent small issues from becoming larger problems later in life.

Eruption Times

Eruption Times

There are general ‘rules’ for eruption times of teeth; however, these can vary slightly between horses. In terms of their incisors, the central deciduous incisors are normally present by the time a foal is around 6 days old, followed by the second incisors at around 6 weeks and the corner incisors at around 6 months of age. The permanent central incisors erupt at around 2.5yo, the second incisors at 3.5yo and the corner incisors at around 4.5yo. The deciduous premolars are generally present at birth or will erupt within the first 2 weeks of life. Following on from this, the permanent cheek teeth start erupting from 1yo, with your horse having a full set of permanent teeth (including the canines if present) by 5 to 6 years of age.

Caps

Only the incisors and premolars in horses have deciduous precursors (“baby teeth”), which should be shed prior to eruption of the underlying permanent tooth. As the permanent tooth erupts, it puts pressure on the overlying deciduous tooth, causing its roots to resorb (become shorter) and eventual loss of the tooth. In premolars, especially, this results in the ‘cap’ sitting over the permanent tooth in the mouth, hence its name. If this process doesn’t occur, for example, when a permanent tooth is slightly out of position, it can result in retained deciduous teeth, which can lead to other issues such as overcrowding or periodontal disease.

Wolf Teeth

Wolf Teeth

Often confused with the canines, the colloquially known “wolf teeth” are actually small vestigial premolars that sit in front of the arcade of premolars and molars. They can vary from quite small to larger with a more complex structure and are most commonly found in the maxillary arcade (upper jaw), but may also be found on the mandibular arcades (lower jaw). If sharp and pointed or deviated, they may cause issues with biting and so are often removed at one of your horse’s first dental appointments. This is a short procedure, where local anaesthetic nerve blocks and pain relief are administered, creating a pain-free first dental experience for your youngster. In most cases, it is recommended that they be removed prior to going to the trainers for mouthing.

Bitting

Bitting

Bitting is another important consideration for your young horse. The correct bit in a youngster can help give them the best start to their ridden career, encouraging bit acceptance rather than bit evasion. Ideally, a bit will be fitted prior to them being sent to the breakers for mouthing. Consulting a bit fitter during this time can also be helpful if you are unsure or even if you would like a second opinion. Bitting injuries are another thing to be aware of, with injuries being more likely from a bit that is too large than one that is too small.

Vaccinations

All horses should receive their tetanus and strangles vaccinations as youngsters. Tetanus, in particular, is a very deadly disease that is preventable with vaccination, and strangles can also be very serious (and is highly contagious). The initial course of vaccinations involves administering three vaccinations at two-week intervals, consisting of a combination of the tetanus and strangles vaccination and the strangles-only vaccination. Then, after the initial course, it is just a single tetanus and strangles combined vaccination every year as a booster. We are more than happy to discuss this further if you have any questions.

Microchipping

Often a requirement for registering for breed societies, but also important for the identification of your youngster, especially if not branded. It can also be useful for rangers to be able to identify loose horses, particularly after a bushfire. A small microchip is implanted along the neck of the horse, generally whilst they are still under sedation at the end of their dental. We also use a local anaesthetic to make sure they are comfortable.

Deworming

Deworming young horses is also another important consideration. Immunity to parasites is developed over time, and often, some exposure to parasites during this time can help promote the development of the immune system. However, young horses are also more susceptible to parasite-related diseases and shed higher numbers of eggs onto the pasture, and so their level of exposure must be carefully monitored.

Resistance to dewormers is an issue we face in Australia, and as such, all owners need to reduce the use of deworming compounds to the lowest possible level required to prevent the development of clinical disease. As such, we recommend performing faecal egg counts (FECs) to determine your horse’s worm burden and to facilitate treatment choice. In young horses, this should occur roughly every 3 months from weaning. We will be happy to discuss parasite control based on your individual horse’s risk factors and exposure at your dental appointment.

YOUNG HORSE OWNER'S GUIDE INFORMATION SHEET
Equine Dentistry

Equine Dentistry

Routine dental maintenance, including comprehensive examination of all dental and oral tissues as well as a full dental chart with recommendations.

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Lifetime Dental Care

Lifetime Dental Care

Our vets will work with you and your horse on a comprehensive and tailored preventative dental care plan.

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Advanced Dental Procedures

Advanced Dental Procedures

Performing everything from endodontics, restorations, extractions and treating advanced periodontal disease.

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Equine Wellness Services

Equine Wellness Services

These include wellness consultations, vaccinations, microchipping, faecal egg counts (FEC), drenching, blood testing for metabolic disease, radiographs, euthanasia services and lameness work ups.

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In-Clinic Services

In-Clinic Services

Take advantage of the state-of-the-art facilities our clinic has to offer. We are equipped with stables and yards with post, rail and mesh fencing and reticulated paddocks for your convenience. Clients can leave their horses for dental treatments, or stay and watch.

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Mobile Services

Mobile Services

While we pride ourselves on our industry-leading clinic, we also bring premium care directly to your property when needed. Our mobile units are fully equipped to bring the same quality of care wherever you are.

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FAQs

Do I need a referral?

No referral needed. In fact, we love to see your horse before any issues arise. Preventative dental care keeps your horse’s mouth healthy, so don’t put off going to the dentist. We do also accept referrals from veterinarians for advanced procedures, and will happily work with your vet to keep care seamless.

How do I book an appointment?

You can contact us directly to arrange an appointment on our online booking form or by emailing us at reception@dentalvet.com.au. Alternatively you can call (08) 9397 1286. We also work closely with referring veterinarians, sharing records and updates so your horse receives continuous care.

What’s included in a Dental Vet dental exam?

Every Dental Vet appointment is designed to give your horse a thorough, comfortable, and evidence-based dental assessment. Our experienced veterinarians take the time to thoroughly examine your horse, supported by our nursing team to ensure each visit runs smoothly.

Your horse’s appointment includes:

  • A physical examination, including listening to the abdomen for signs of sand.
  • A seven-point external head assessment to check for changes linked to dental disease.
  • A comprehensive oral examination using a speculum, lights, and endoscopy to assess all teeth and oral tissues.
  • Treatment of periodontal disease, if necessary (additional fee may apply for extensive treatment).
  • Floating and corrective work, including reduction of sharp points and overgrowths, plus a performance float for bitted horses.
  • Discussion of findings, next steps, as well as a dental chart emailed to you with home-care recommendations, so you understand each step.
  • Optional bit fit assessment if you have bitting concerns.

Does Dental Vet accept pet insurance?

Yes, many equine insurance policies cover advanced veterinary dental treatment when performed by a registered vet. However, it’s always advisable to contact your pet insurer and check on your policy inclusions before the appointment.

What symptoms might indicate that my horse has a dental problem?

Horses are prey animals and instinctively mask their pain and discomfort, which means dental disease often goes unnoticed until it’s advanced. The signs can be extremely subtle, even the colour of the dentin overlying a 2mm pulp on the surface of the tooth can indicate whether a tooth is healthy or abscessed. By the time symptoms are noticeable, the problem may already be severe and require more extensive (and costly) treatment.

That’s why regular professional dental checks are so important, even if your horse seems completely normal.

If your horse shows any of the signs below, please contact us for a diagnostic examination as soon as possible:

  • Dropping feed or slow eating
  • Bit resistance or head tossing
  • Weight loss or difficulty maintaining condition
  • Nasal discharge or foul breath
  • Quidding (spitting out half-chewed hay)
  • Chewing on one side only
  • Dunking feed or rinsing mouth in water trough
  • Facial swelling or sensitivity to touch

What is your sedation policy?

Our patients are given a light, controlled sedation for their dental procedure. This keeps them calm and comfortable and ensures we can do a thorough examination, diagnostics and treatment. During our detailed examinations we assess over 140 pulp cavities, as well as infundibula and all dental and soft tissue structures with precision, while protecting both horse and handler. Each horse is individually assessed before sedation, and reversing agents and emergency medications are always on hand.

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Whether you've got a new foal, referring a patient for review, or are worried about your horse's wellbeing, we're here to help!

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