Grinding teeth

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beckieswann

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Hi guys,

I've noticed my horse has started grinding his teeth (again) and was wondering if anyone could give any advice - I know it can be linked to ulcers but I also know it can also be a habit, so advice for both would be great.

Here's the background;

When he first arrived he had quite a few behavioural problems and pain related problems when he arrived - spent a lot of time on his back, and also on his behaviour towards work - when he became pressured he stressed out. However these problems are slowly being sorted and I can say he is beginning to get a personality and become a horse again! Anyway when he first came he did use to grind his teeth before and after meals and after being ridden. It then disappeared and we carried on with him...

... 6 months down the line he's started doing it again - (because of the snow there was a lack of turn out so I thought it may be related to boredom...) anyway the dentist came out and he goes out a lot more regularly in the field. However after the desntist being out, and him having regular turnout again he still does it before and after meal time, before he goes out into the field and also after being ridden.

If it is stomach ulcers what other symptoms could there be? And if it is just boredom any ideas on how to relieve him of his annoying habit?

He gets fed haylage, a handful of low energy winergy twice a day and has had this consistent diet since I've had him.

Thank you to anyone that has read this far
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I have no advice but am interested as my new mare also grinds teeth only now and again though and usually when she has been working quite hard for about an hour,

I didnt know that teeth grinding may be a symptom of ulcers do you mean gastric ulcers? Ive heard that they can be a bit grouchy when doing up saddle this could explain my mares problem.

Hope someone else has some advice for you xx
 
seeing as last time it stopped coincided with his back being sorted is it possible that back pain has flared up again? If his problems were from a long term problem there is a good chance his back will need checking very regularly to make sure it stays pain free.
 
Hi, I had a youngster (the about 8 months old) started grinding her teeth. She had just recovered from a nasty leg injury and had been on IV antibiotics and the injections.

The vet prescribed some syringes to use with her daily (will have to pop over to tack room as I can't remember what they were...) Back again 'Gastroguard'. Within a couple of days she stopped and has not done it since. I have been advised if ever she is stressed it may happen again!

Don't know if that helps at all...Oh and Gastroguard is ridiculously expensive!!!
 
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seeing as last time it stopped coincided with his back being sorted is it possible that back pain has flared up again? If his problems were from a long term problem there is a good chance his back will need checking very regularly to make sure it stays pain free.

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I wondered this too. Henry used to grind his teeth when stressed. It included when being tacked up in what turned out to be an ill-fitting saddle. Worth thinking about.
 
nikkinoo - rugs being done up and the girth being done up are also symptoms I think?? Not sure mind!

Hi spike123 his back has been recently looked at (2 weeks ago) and had no problems which is good news, so nothing there to explain. He gets his back checked every 3 months at the moment to check we're progressing (might seem excessive but he's rather sensitive and to be honest worth the hassle
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Thanks Sashpip - I'll look into it, he's a very stressful warmblood! I just want to makesure I don't give him something he doesn't need but it's interesting to see that yours was pain and stress related!
 
I have a thoroughbred brood mare who grinds her teeth at feed time and when she is waiting to be turned out. She also nods her head up and down and flaps her tongue up and down with her mouth open. After usual checks, concluded it is her impatient gesture same as another one will kick the door. She also does it if I am talking to another horse. Mine are all attention seekers!!
 
Hi, there are lot's of posts in veterinary with gastric ulcer symptoms.

When I first got my mare she bucked, ground her teeth, was labelled cold backed, had a poor appetite, a few mild colics, windsucked and was generally not a happy person.

She was treated and recently scoped again to check, she still bucks and windsucks, but is much happier and actually has an appetite now, I think it's learned behaviour to an extent in her case.
 
I don't think mine is attention seeking, as even when i'm chaging his rug he'll do - i still don't know whether it's a learnt behaviour or a sign of discomfort - but it's interesting to read everyone elses problems/habits.
 
Yeah my friend's TB does this.... he used to have a back problem so it was linked to that.. he did it when rugged and saddled and girth tightened.... back is fine now (and regularly checked) but he does it occasionally still... partly because he is thin skinned and sensitive and partly out of habit as well...
 
Really wierd that I should say my mare only does it occasionally and only when being worked for about an hour,


Because I have just ridden her tonight and she did it again, we were not doing any thing particularly hard but she was playing up leaping around (as she hadnt been out for 2 days) and I wouldnt let her get her own way and after about 5 mins she was grinding away.

off to have a look in the veterinary section now
 
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