A horse's dental health is a key element of its well-being and performance. Poor chewing, dental pain or uneven tooth wear can cause temporomandibular joint (TMJ) dysfunction , muscle tension and even postural problems.
Regular monitoring by the equine dentist , combined with osteopathy sessions, helps prevent these problems and ensures your horse has good chewing, optimal digestion and lasting joint comfort .
1. Why Should a Horse See a Dentist Regularly?
📌 The horse's dental anatomy is unique :
🔹 It has between 36 and 44 teeth , which grow continuously throughout its life.
🔹 Its chewing is based on a lateral movement , allowing the fodder to be effectively crushed.
🔹 Uneven tooth wear can lead to painful teeth ridges and TMJ disorders.
📍 Signs your horse needs a dental check-up :
✔ Difficulty chewing, weight loss, bit refusal.
✔ Asymmetrical jaw movements.
✔ Sensitivity to touch in the head and neck area.
💡 An annual check-up with the dentist helps maintain a balanced dental table and avoid these problems.
1.1 Risk of various pathologies associated with poor dental care of your horse:
A horse with an unbalanced dental table can develop oral pathologies affecting its general health.
📌 1.1 Dental Points and Overteeth: Mouth Irritations and Ulcers
🔹 Horse teeth grow continuously and can form sharp points .
🔹 These tips irritate the inside of the cheeks and tongue, causing painful sores and ulcers .
📍 Consequences :
❌ Refusal of the bit or discomfort in hand.
❌ Painful chewing, which can lead to weight loss.
💡 Regular filing helps prevent these injuries.
📌 1.2 Malocclusions: Poor Tooth Wear and Difficulty Chewing
🔹 Poor tooth alignment can prevent the horse from chewing properly.
🔹 He may develop overbites, hooks, or ramps , making eating painful.
📍 Consequences :
❌ Ineffective chewing, which can cause colic and digestive problems .
❌ TMJ imbalance, affecting posture and locomotion.
💡 A dental check-up prevents these imbalances and limits the risk of colic.
📌 1.3 Dental Infections: Abscesses, Sinusitis and Bad Breath
🔹 A fractured or decayed tooth can lead to a deep infection , forming a painful abscess.
🔹 Since the upper molars are close to the sinuses, an infection can cause chronic sinusitis .
📍 Symptoms :
❌ Swelling of the cheek or unilateral nasal discharge.
❌ Bad breath, hypersalivation.
❌ Difficulty eating, weight loss.
💡 A horse with a dental abscess must be treated quickly to avoid complications.
📌 1.4 Caries and Tooth Loss: Chronic Pain and Tooth Loss
🔹 A diet too rich in sugars or an imbalance in saliva can promote the appearance of cavities.
🔹 In the long term, this can lead to loosening of the teeth and significant pain .
📍 Consequences :
❌ Difficulty eating, hypersensitivity to cold and heat.
❌ Risk of subgingival infection and premature tooth loss.
💡 A suitable diet and veterinary monitoring can help prevent these pathologies.
📌 1.5 Oral Mycoses: Overgrowth of Fungi, Pain and Ulcers
🔹 Prolonged use of certain bits or repeated irritation of the gums can promote the development of oral fungi (Candida spp.).
📍 Consequences :
❌ Inflammation of the mucous membranes, difficulty eating.
❌ Increased sensitivity in the mouth and refusal of the bit.
💡 Proper maintenance of the horse's mouth and dental monitoring prevents the proliferation of fungal infections.
📌 1.6 TMJ (Temporomandibular Joint) Imbalance: Pain and Locomotor Problems
🔹 An uneven dental table leads to an imbalance of the TMJ, impacting the horse's entire body.
🔹 This creates muscle tension in the neck, shoulders and back , which can disrupt locomotion.
📍 Common symptoms :
❌ Neck tension and shoulder stiffness.
❌ Difficulty flexing the neck or making good contact in hand.
❌ Loss of hindquarters engagement and muscle compensations.
💡 Regular dental care maintains TMJ balance and limits bodily tension.
2. Dental Table and Temporomandibular Joint (TMJ): A Decisive Balance
📌 The ATM is the joint that connects the jaw to the skull.
🔹 It plays a key role in the horse's chewing, balance and posture .
🔹 An irregular dental table (asymmetrical wear of the teeth) creates constraints on the ATM , which can cause muscular and postural compensations.
📍 Common TMJ dysfunctions related to dental problems :
❌ Excessive tension in the neck and neck area.
❌ Postural imbalances affecting the back and shoulders.
❌ Difficulty making contact in hand or discomfort with the bit.
💡 A balanced dental table is essential to avoid these compensations and preserve proper TMJ function.
3. The Impact of Dental Problems on Locomotion and Equine Osteopathy
An imbalance of the TMJ can have repercussions throughout the horse's body .
📌 Why?
🔹 The ATM is directly connected to the spine by muscle chains and fascia .
🔹 Dental problems can create tension in the neck, shoulders and even the hindquarters .
🔹 These compensations affect locomotion and can lead to unexplained lameness or resistance under saddle .
📍 Example of a common case :
➡️ A horse with dental asymmetry develops excessive tension on one side of the TMJ .
➡️ This tension spreads to the neck muscles, then to the shoulders and back.
➡️ The osteopath notes a loss of flexibility and compensatory vertebral blockages .
💡 Regular dental check-ups help avoid these tensions and maximize the benefits of osteopathic follow-up.
4. Osteopathy and Dental Care: An Essential Duo for a Horse in Top Shape
📌 Why combine osteopathy with dental monitoring?
✔ A horse with a good dental table has a balanced ATM and harmonious body functioning.
✔ Osteopathic follow-up after dental treatment helps to relieve residual tension and optimize postural adaptation.
✔ In the event of a pre-existing imbalance , the osteopath helps to realign posture and avoid painful compensations.
📍 Recommended protocol:
✅ Dental check-up once a year with a qualified equine dentist.
✅ Osteopathy session 1 to 2 weeks after dental treatment to harmonize the entire body.
✅ Regular monitoring for horses with a history of tension or locomotor disorders.
💡 A horse with good teeth and a balanced TMJ is more comfortable in its work, more efficient and more relaxed.
5. Conclusion: Good Dental Health, Key to Equine Well-being
📌 Why is it essential to have your horse treated by an equine dentist and an osteopath?
✅ A balanced dental table allows for smooth chewing and optimal digestion.
✅ A healthy ATM avoids muscular and postural compensations, and therefore postural and locomotor imbalances linked to an asymmetric ATM.
✅ A good synergy between dentist and osteopath ensures a relaxed, efficient horse without chronic pain.
✅ Avoid oral pain (ulcers, infections, cavities, abscesses).
✅ Avoid digestive disorders (ineffective chewing, colic).
💡 Regular dental check-ups combined with osteopathy are the key to a horse that feels good in its body and in its work! 🐴💙
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