Why it is so important to do your horses teeth from a young age...
When the deciduous teeth (baby teeth) of a young horse are not shed and continue to sit on top of the young horses permanent teeth, they are called caps. A failure of the caps to shed can result in the permanent teeth growing in crooked, uneven surfaces on the teeth opposite to the unshed cap, or failure of the permanent tooth to grow in at all. Capping takes place between 2 and a half and 5 years of age
During the first five years of life, the horse's mouth is a busy place. When permanent teeth emerge, they normally push the deciduous teeth out of the way, disrupting the blood supply and causing them to shed.
If the deciduous teeth do not shed, they remain attached to the permanent tooth creating bite problems and discomfort for the horse. In addition, anorexia, infection, and abnormal wear patterns develop that can lead to long-term problems for the horse.
Symptoms:
Difficulty in chewing
Signs of pain during training with a bit
Painful swelling on the upper bridge of the nose
Hard bumps on the lower jaw bone
Dislocated permanent teeth
Sharp enamel points on the deciduous tooth
