Mouth problems

attheponies

attheponies

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My 16.1hh 10 year old warmblood has been leaving small lumps of partly chewed hay for a couple of months. I have had his teeth checked and attended to by a highly experienced and respected equine dentist (I have ensured that his teeth are regularly checked since I have owned him although they had been neglected previously) but he is still doing this and is also hanging on to his bit (hanging cheek french link snaffle which he was previously very happy in) so is obviously uncomfortable. I have spoken to both dentist and vet but they seem to be rather at a loss for an explanation. He eats his hard hard feed fine, has not lost condition and there is no sign of undigested food in his droppings. Is he just being naughty or has anyone any suggestion as to possible causes apart from teeth? I have searched the internet but can find no alternative suggestions other than having his teeth checked.
 
Have you had a vet check his teeth just for a second opinion? Sounds like teeth to me, but I agree v strange if teeth really are fine. Maybe he's tight in his poll and jaw - could get an equine sports therapist to see him? If he's dropping hay I wouldn't say its naughty, although sometimes they do get into a habit with hanging on the bit if something used to be uncomfortable.
 
Also just thought, did equine dentist check around the mouth other than teeth e.g. does he have any cuts/abrasions/mouth ulcers that aren't healing?
 
Many thanks for this, apologies for the poor grammar - I didn't mean he was naughty for dropping hay, just that perhaps he was hanging on to the bit as an evasion, which you also suggest. I have the vet coming to look at him and will certainly check for any signs of damage/ulcers etc. Your idea of checking stiffness in poll/jaw is also good and I have an excellent equine physio who I will certainly contact if the vet can't find anything in his mouth. thanks again for your reply.
 
if vet finds any ulscers sore anything like that put sage herb in to your horses feed it is very good for all mouth probs!
 
It may be worth getting a second opinion from another horse dentist? I'm not saying your guy isn't great, but I've had similar problems with one of mine - and there were still tooth issues. I've also had very good vets do teeth in the past, and totally neglect one side of the right teeth, and another who's taken too much off.... it really does seem to be a totally mine field..

I don't know where in the UK you are, but I now use a chap called Bob Livock who is absolutely fantastic, and more than happy to show you and explain why/ what he is doing. He's made a huge difference to my horses and I don't know anyone who has had any problems. His contact details are on the kington langley stud website (sorry, I don't have it to hand).

Hope this is useful
smile.gif
 
Thank you both for your suggestions, sadly Kington Langley is the other side of the country to me but the website was really helpful. The vet is out tomorrow so hopefully we can have a really good look and get him comfortable.
 
I would maybe recommend getting his head xrayed to make sure there is no tooth root infection or hairline fracture which may not be obvious from examining inside the mouth. There is always the possibility of a foreign body embedded in the soft tissue which may not be apparent - a friend of mine has just had 1.5" of wire removed from under her horse's tongue where it was deeply embedded. It has taken months to diagnose following various non-specific symptoms and veterinary treatments.
 
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