Less Common
You also might be observing
Observation
What you see. The starting point for addressing any equine health related issue is your observation.
YOU ARE OBSERVING
Teeth are Discolored, Stained or Caked in Material
Summary
The majority of a horse's teeth (the grinding cheek teeth) are not easily visible. What are easily visible are the front nipping teeth (the incisors) and the canine teeth (mostly only found in male horses) behind them.
The canine teeth often become caked in yellow tartar. In most cases, taken alone without any other signs of injury or illness, this is not harmful. Your vet will often choose to remove tartar when they perform routine dental care.
Horses grazing on pastures with certain soil types may develop mineral staining of the incisor teeth, which can appear as a dark brown or almost black color. In most cases this is not harmful.
There is however, an abnormal condition known as Equine Odontoclastic Tooth Resorption & Hypercementosis (EOTRH), which causes change in color and appearance of the enamel of the front teeth. Your vet can differentiate normal findings from this condition.
The canine teeth often become caked in yellow tartar. In most cases, taken alone without any other signs of injury or illness, this is not harmful. Your vet will often choose to remove tartar when they perform routine dental care.
Horses grazing on pastures with certain soil types may develop mineral staining of the incisor teeth, which can appear as a dark brown or almost black color. In most cases this is not harmful.
There is however, an abnormal condition known as Equine Odontoclastic Tooth Resorption & Hypercementosis (EOTRH), which causes change in color and appearance of the enamel of the front teeth. Your vet can differentiate normal findings from this condition.
-
Code Yellow
Contact Your Vet at Your Convenience for an Appointment- If you think your horses may be in need of routine dental care.
- To discuss your equine's general health and management.
-
Code Green
Contact Your Vet to Obtain Useful Advice & Resources- To discuss your equine's general health and management.
your role
What To Do
If you have questions about the appearance of your horse's teeth, take a photo and send it to your vet for further discussion.
Skills you may need
Procedures that you may need to perform on your horse.
Very Common
your vet's role
Your vet performs an oral and dental exam to determine the nature of the problem and whether any treatment is needed.
Questions Your Vet Might Ask:
- Does the horse have difficulty chewing or eating?
- How old is the horse?
- Does the horse seem normal to you otherwise?
- Is the horse kept on pasture?
Diagnostics Your Vet May Perform
Figuring out the cause of the problem. These are tests or procedures used by your vet to determine what’s wrong.
Diagnoses Your Vet May Consider
The cause of the problem. These are conditions or ailments that are the cause of the observations you make.
Treatments Your Vet May Recommend
A way to resolve the condition or diagnosis. Resolving the underlying cause or treating the signs of disease (symptomatic treatment)
Very Common
further reading & resources
Helpful Terms and Topics
Written, reviewed or shared by experts in equine health