What's the deal on wolf teeth?

People have their own opinions on wolf teeth. I leave em, as long as there are no problems, Some just remove them no matter what. In some disciplines, like race horses, the bit tends to ride in the area of wolf teeth, so they take them out. Mostly colts and not fillies will have them. Few more females have them. It is easier on babies to remove them than adult horses. Some breeders just remove them to keep from having any problems later. Here is a website where you can get more details, rather than me writing 3 pages worth :-)

http://www.lilbeginnings.com/info/health3/

http://www.netpets.com/horses/healthspa/wolf.html

**NOTE: females CAN get wolf teeth, it just is not prevalent(far and few between). Very few mares will get canine teeth, almost non-existant, which is seen in alot of males.

Have your VET take a look and tell you if they can stay or if they need to go.

Wolf teeth have no deep roots, so it's no biggy to get them removed. Reason to get them removed is so they don't get whacked by the bit. Sometimes they can be in a bad place where they get whacked and that hurts the horse = they must be filed down or removed.

They get taken out before you start to ride. Before the bit ever goes in the mouth for the first time.

Also, the canines (bottom for mares) may also need to be filed down as well if they are in the way. But these are not removed if it can be helped because they have deeper roots.

Horse teeth need once a year at least maintenance or they develop sharp points that can cut the horse's tongue/cheeks and cause ulcers in the mouth. If you keep the horse's teeth floated (that's what rasping is called) once a year, you should be fine. It's also cheaper to do this rather than to wait until the teeth are so bad that the vet has to do more work.

First of all mares can and do have wolf teeth.

Many do not have canine teeth.

They should be removed as many times they sit in the way of the bit and the bit can knock against them causing pain.

Most people have them removed when the horse has it's first dental work done. Most vets do this as part of the normal dentistry on young horses.

If you do not know where to look for them have some one who does look.

But by 4 most times they should have already been removed.

First of all, does she even have wolf teeth? Many if not most mares don't. I would have them removed to prevent problems from developing. The roots are small and shallow, and it is a minor recovery.

If she has canine teeth, they are a whole different thing. And yes, some mares do have canines. They are deeply rooted and more of a surgical procedure to remove. The reason for removing either wolf teeth or canines is usually to prevent interference with the bit. but many vets recommend removing wolf teeth regardless just to prevent problems that could occur.

Your mare will not have to have her wolf teeth removed as only stallions and geldings have these teeth. In those horses the teeth are used for defense and mating. The only thing you should worry about with your mare is that her teeth have been maintained. You should request a few days after the purchase of the horse to have your vet throroughly check her out or even before you leave the barn with her if they will let your vet come there. If her teeth have not been floated recently, they may need to be and this is not an inexpensive endeavor. I have a gelding with bad teeth and his actually have to be floated twice a year at an expense of around $100 - $200 per session.

One simple way to tell if your horse is having problems with her teeth is to watch her eat grain. If she turns her head to the side or is dropping a lot of grain then she probably needs to have her teeth looked at. Sometimes horses won't do this at all and the vet can only tell by examining the teeth for sharp points or worn down edges. This is also often the best way for them to make sure the horse you are buying is the age you have been told it is unless you are buying a registered horse with papers.

Michelle C - why did my old mare have to get her's taken out if mares don't get them?

Talk to your dentis/vet about it.

My old mare was 5 when I got her and a real handful to get her bridle on so we had the dentist out and he told us that taking her wolf teeth out may help as it could have been causing her pain, thus her throwing her head when trying to bridle her.

An equine dentist removed my MARE'S wolf teeth. They were bothering her and she was mouthing everything. She was fine within days.