4 YO teeth - Advice Please

brego

brego

Active Member
Joined
16 November 2008
Messages
34
Visit site
My chap is 4 and a half and is really going through it, he has lost 3 of his outer incisors and the canine on his left bottom side has just pushed through, he is so grumpy and i am now struggling with my right lead in canter constantly striking off incorrectly could this be caused by his teeth hurting?? I know there are many changes in the teeth at this age but when will it settle down - very concerned mum!!! he has also gone quite agressive in the stable and he is a big horse, although we are just ignoring his temper tantrums, any advice would be really appreciated (never owned a youngster before)
 
Have you had an EDT to him as you say he is at that stage where so much is going on.
Personally never had an issue like this but I know how much sore mouths can affect older horses.

My friend mare had awful trouble teething and it showed in her ridden work. Vet and EDT advised to either ride in a bitless bridle or not to ride at all otherwise she would only learn that riding was uncomfortable. She could also be a right pain in the stable when it was bad, she had bute at times to help with the teething pain and it did help a lot!!

If it was my horse I would get EDT and if still no better would turn away for the winter as it is not worth spoiling a young horse through him learning its uncomfortable/painful to have a bit in.
 
I've seen quite a few 4 year olds really suffer when their teeth come through. Often people put it down to "normal" 4 year old behaviour or some other factor and figure their theory is proven when the horse "sorts itself out" at some later date . . . presumably when the teeth have settled down. Obviously many horses never have a problem, but it's one of my first ports of call with a horse that age that has contact or ridden behavioural issues.

There's not always a lot you can do, though. If a horse is having a lot of trouble shedding caps then this can be helped but the process still has to go as it goes. It's not the end of the world to back off a bit or go a different way when a horse is uncomfortable with a temporary, perfectly natural "problem".
 
My lad was terrible to ride when his teeth were loose age 4-5 yrs, he went from plod to very unsafe, got dentist out, twice in year 4-5,. She found he also had wolf teeth upper, that had come through late,and only 6 mths since her last visit !!.
She had checked him since he was 3yrs, the wolf teeth came through very late at 4 1/2 ish.
The can cause alot of pain, and do NEED to be removed; He was sedated and they were removed,. No problems since then, 2 checks since then,. Dentists dont cost the earth, lot cheaper than vets, and a MUST ! ! Just saying if you had tooth ache, would you like it ? !
They cant speak to us but let us know in other ways, and wolf teeth are quite common, even if theyre late.
 
If he's miserable with his baby teeth coming out and the new ones erupting it might be time to give him a few weeks off work to let them all come through. Having him comfortable in his mouoth is so important it's really worth the break in schooling.
 
Thanks for your comments, the dentist has seen him and everything is as normal as it can be at his age, he seems to like the bonjela!!!!!!!!!
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top