Wolf teeth in horses can cause problems for some horses, but not others – and ultimately this is the question that needs to be answered when considering if they are removed in the interest of your horse’s health and comfort.
Wolf teeth are often extracted systematically, with some service providers believing that no wolf teeth ever did good and can cause horse problems in the future. Others choose to take action only if it develops a problem with these teeth. Finally, the decision falls under the person responsible for the care of the horse.
Opinions are likely to remain divided as to whether or not to remove the wolf teeth on horses, of course, so you will better consult you to receive the recommendations given to you for your own horse from the dentist or the veterinarian who has been registered with Baedt.
What are wolf teeth?
The wolf teeth are small and sit immediately in front of the first teeth of the upper cheek of the horse. Sometimes, but rarely, they sit in front of the first lower cheek teeth.
Come in many shapes and sizes. Not all horses will have wolf teeth – like all people will not have wisdom teeth.
“Many young horses have been found to have wolf teeth when they have originally put in their mouths, but mostly most have exploded since they are six to 12 months,” says Gemma Lilly Dental Horse Racing technician.
“The horse can even throw the teeth of their wolves along with the first lid of the cheek teeth in about two and a half years.”
Why have their horses?
Millions of years ago, the wolf teeth on the horses were similar in size to the rest of the molares and were used to grind and chew food. But then the horses were busy eaters, with the teeth of the cheeks being small and narrowly like those of goats and sheep.
There were seven functional cheek teeth on each tooth arcade, compared to six in today’s horses. As the horses have evolved, the teeth of the wolves on the horses have no and have no function now.
Why is it a problem?
“Wolf teeth can cause difficulties and difficulties in some cases due to the place in the horse’s mouth,” Gemma explains. “Some horses show a clear, repetitive pain response during driving with a little bit in their mouths, while others are not affected. Therefore, whether wolf teeth cause a problem is under individual experience.
“One theory is that sometimes the mouth is directly linked to the wolf tooth during contact with Rein, which causes pain in the horse.”
Wolf teeth removal
Wolf teeth removal is a quick and relatively simple surgery that can be performed in your yard as part of a control routine. The horse must be calm for the process and is used local anesthetic.
As the gums are extremely vascular (this means they have many blood vessels), you expect to see some bleeding – this is normal.
Most wolf tooth extraction sites are cured without complications or further visit required. After the teeth are removed, your horse will take time away from full work until the sockets are healed completely and are comfortable in their mouths again. This can take two weeks or more.
Is removal always essential?
“Wolf teeth are often exported systematically. With some people believing that wolf teeth have never done good and can cause problems in the future,” says Gemma, who runs Southwest And he is a Baedt examiner for Beva/Bvda Sext. “Others choose to take action if a problem develops with these teeth.
“Opinions are divided as to whether or not to remove wolf teeth, of course, so you will better consult you to receive the recommendations given to you for your own horse from a specialized dental technician or veterinarian.”
Find a dental technical horse
Only a veterinarian or specialized dental Hippoid technician should evaluate and treat your horse’s teeth. The British Association of Dental Techniques (BAEDT) was founded in 2001 and is an organization for specialized professional dental technicians.
A complete list of fully specialized Baedt Equine dental techniques can be found here.
