The horse's mouth is a sensitive area. Healthy teeth are important not only for eating but also for riding with a bridle and bit. Head-shaking or restlessness under the saddle can stem from the horse's mouth.
A fully grown horse has between 36 and 44 teeth. The number of stallion teeth, the horse’s canines (which mares can also have), and the wolf teeth varies from horse to horse. Wolf teeth are small, vestigial teeth located in front of the first molar. Horses no longer actually need these to chew properly or survive. These teeth are merely remnants of the horse’s evolutionary history. Some horses do not develop them at all, or only two out of four. Between zero and four stallion teeth and/or wolf teeth are possible.
In addition, there are twelve incisors and 24 molars; these are also called grinding teeth and are further distinguished into premolars (= front molars) and molars (= back molars). Between the incisors—or, if present, the canine teeth—and the molars—or, if present, the wolf teeth—there is a gap known as the "bite." This is where the bit is placed when bridling the horse.
Over the course of a horse’s life, teeth continuously push out of the dental sockets while being naturally worn down from above through use. It therefore appears as though a horse’s teeth are constantly growing back. In reality, however, only the root area shortens.
What wisdom teeth are to humans, stallion teeth—also known as hook teeth—and wolf teeth are to horses. Canine teeth can put pressure on the bit and interfere with riding, so you should have this area checked by your veterinarian. For this reason, canine teeth are usually extracted. This procedure is performed under sedation and is fairly straightforward.
Hooked teeth make it difficult for horses to eat and can also interfere with riding. The tongue can be injured by sharp edges and points, causing pain while eating. Hooks that form irregularly in a horse’s dentition can lead to misalignment of the jaw joint and cause balance problems. So a few small teeth can cause a lot of trouble. Your equine dentist—it is advisable to work with a specialist here—files the teeth, proceeding with great precision so that both sides of the teeth fit together. If too much is removed on one side, the pressure distribution during use becomes uneven. Excessive localized pressure on a tooth can even lead to tooth fractures. Tartar must also be removed regularly in horses, just as it is in humans, to prevent painful gum problems. As a general rule, depending on your horse’s predisposition, you should schedule a dental checkup every six to twelve months.
Horses usually suffer in silence. That’s why we don’t always notice early enough that something is wrong, especially in the early stages of dental problems. This is why regular checkups are so important.
But eventually, the horse can no longer hide its pain and the associated problems. You should watch for the following signs:
When riding:
So be attentive to your horse and check its mouth often. Brushing its teeth, however, is not advisable. You’ll be doing it a greater favor by having a professional properly file its teeth and remove tartar on a regular basis.
You probably often see your velvet-pawed friend licking themselves thoroughly, vigorously working on one spot or another of their fur. Cats groom themselves. Nevertheless, it is useful to help them with their fur care, not least to find and remove any parasites. The coat change will also be more pleasant for your cat if loose hairs are brushed out regularly. Especially with certain breeds such as Angora or Persian cats, you should stick to a daily routine to keep your pet well-groomed and healthy.
Are outdoor cats or indoor cats healthier and happier? What are the respective advantages and disadvantages, and what suits my cat and my lifestyle best? Here you will find useful information to help you make your decision.
Just like humans and dogs, more and more cats are developing the metabolic disease diabetes. However, diabetes in cats differs from that in dogs and humans in a number of key ways. Middle-aged neutered male cats are particularly affected. Maine Coon and Siamese cats are more susceptible to diabetes.
Horses are flight animals. If something frightens them, they will run away faster than some owners can even blink. There are many possible triggers: a large green tractor while out riding, posters in an indoor riding arena, or children playing in the yard. However, with the right exercises, you can help your horse become more calm over time.
It is often a dramatic sight for owners and riders: from one day to the next, your horse suddenly shows severe lameness. The affected limb is increasingly rested or no longer placed properly on the ground. Occasionally, but not always, the affected hoof feels warmer than the other hooves. It is obvious that your horse is in severe pain and you suspect the worst. However, it is often just a hoof abscess. The colloquial term "hoof abscess" is misleading, as it is not an abscess or tissue growth, but a purulent inflammation in the form of an abscess. In such a case, please call a veterinarian immediately who can examine your animal, confirm any suspicions and treat it immediately.
Rotz, often referred to as skin rot or skin worm, is one of the longest known diseases affecting horses. It is a bacterial, epidemic infectious disease characterized by purulent skin and mucous membrane ulcers and a mostly chronic course. While the disease is still widespread in Asia, Africa, and South America, it has been considered eradicated in Germany since 1956, although it was detected in a horse for the first time again in 2015. Due to the danger it poses to humans, the disease is still notifiable.
Mitral valve disease (MMVD) is a chronic degenerative disease of the heart valves. It is the most common heart disease in dogs and mainly affects older dogs of smaller breeds. An exception is the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel, which often develops the disease at the age of 1.5 to two years.
Your cat is sure to appreciate a change of scenery now and then, especially if it lives indoors all the time. Of course, it's not just indoor cats that like to play with their humans—outdoor cats enjoy it too.
Are you also fascinated by the beauty, intelligence, and strength of character of these cheerful, playful companions? Wonderful! Then we have some tips for you.
"Kissing Spines" refers to a condition in which the spaces between the spinous processes of the thoracic and lumbar vertebrae narrow significantly, often in the area where the saddle rests. Diagnosing this condition requires riders to be vigilant and to train their horses correctly.
Since the liver has a very high regenerative capacity and functional reserve capacity, most liver diseases in horses initially progress without visible signs of disease and are only diagnosed at an advanced stage.
Kidney disease is relatively rare in horses, but its symptoms are often nonspecific and therefore not always immediately recognized, meaning that treatment is often delayed. In many cases, kidney disease is a concomitant or secondary condition of other diseases.
