Equine Teeth & Eruption Age

University Assignment - Animal Husbandry>

Branch Note:

Like humans, horses go through two sets of teeth in their lifetime. The baby teeth (also called deciduous teeth) are temporary. The first deciduous incisors may erupt even before the foal is born. The last baby teeth come in at approximately eight months of age. The baby teeth begin to be replaced by adult teeth around age two and a half. By age five, most horses have their full complement of permanent teeth. An adult male horse has 40 permanent teeth. A mare may have between 36 to 40, mares are less likely to have canine (bridle) teeth. These adult teeth continue to grow (and are worn down through the constant grinding of food) throughout the horse's lifetime until approximately 25 years of age.

Yearly inspections from a qualified equine dentist ensures sharp and uneven edges of worn and broken teeth are floated (filed) to prevent mouth cuts, ulcers, infections and quidding (dropping chewed food). The dentist will also remove tartar and deciduous teeth that do not drop out when the adult teeth come through. Deciduous teeth that do not fall out on their own accord or are not removed can lead to infections and root abscesses. Uneven teeth wear left uncorrected can result in tartar buildup, gingivitis and eventual tooth rot.