A recent study published in the Journal of Equine
Veterinary Science established a link between common
equine behavior problems and abscessed cheek teeth.
Periapical infections or abscessed cheek teeth are
common in horses1 and will usually induce pain that
is displayed in your horse’s behavior. According to
the research, half of the cases of periapical infections
were diagnosed during routine dental examinations,
indicating that horse owners were unaware of the association
between undesirable behavioral patterns of
their horses and dental pain.
Behavioral Problems Linked to Tooth Pain
Eating and Drinking
Bit-Related
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If your horse is expressing any of these
behavioral signs, work with your equine
veterinarian to conduct an oral and
dental examination. Annual oral
and dental examinations is a recommended
baseline of care of your horse.
Depending on your horse’s age, level
of performance and overall condition
of the teeth, additional examinations
throughout the year may be needed.
EE
Annual Dental Exams
Common behavioral signs associated with cheek teeth
abscesses fall into three main categories. Some signs
include:
• Eating slowly or taking frequent pauses while eating hay
• Turning his head while eating or dropping hay or grain
from his mouth
• Dipping hay in water or avoiding
drinking cold water
• Evading the bit
• Headshaking, lolling tongue or open-
ing his mouth when ridden and/or
driven with a bit
• Rein contact worse on one side of
the mouth
• Resistance to bridling
• Withdrawn, intense stare, aggressive
behavior or self-harm to his head
• Avoiding social interaction with
other horses and people
• Bad-smelling breath
• Poor performance, such as a decline in athletic ability
To help you identify behavioral signs associated with dental
abnormalities in your horse, Zoetis created an equine
dental wellness survey. This short survey will help you
recognize many of the eating, drinking, bit-related and
general behavioral signs that your horse may be displaying
due to a tooth abscess. Visit our web site, right to find
the survey.
EQUINE Health
Help Keep Horses On Their
Best Behavior
Identify Important Behavioral Signs With The
Zoetis Equine Dental Wellness Survey
By Jeff Hall, DVM,
Senior Equine Technical Services
Veterinarian, Zoes
Could dental pain be the culprit for
your horse’s behavioral problems?
Zoetis is committed to educating horse owners about
the importance of annual dental examinations and care
by an equine veterinarian. Behavioral signs caused by
dental abnormalities are crucial to identify. Recognizing
these potential behavioral changes can help with earlier
diagnosis, treatment and improved health and wellness
for your horse.
Schedule dental examinations to
ensure your horse’s health, wellness
and behavior are all in check.
General
Take the Zoetis Equine Dental Wellness Survey
www.zoetisus.com.
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