Removing wolf teeth

[IrishMilo]

I have an ex racer who's always been really fussy in the mouth and resistant to working into the contact. I've had a bit specialist out, tried different bridles, flash, no flash, removal of noseband completely, had his teeth done twice in a year (sharp but nothing sinister structurally).

I'm about to book him in for a full lack of performance work up to rule out any skeletal issues and then it occurred to me that he still has his wolf teeth (he's 6).

Has anyone noticed a positive change after having them removed? I don't want to put him through the procedure if it's not necessary but I also realise I won't know unless I do it.

 

[TheHairyOne]

Try riding in something bitless for a week and see if it improves him?

My horse was much better after his came out at I think 6. He didnt seem overly bothered afterwards and it was relatively cheap. They were tiny, but clearly affecting bitting.

 

[Dasher66]

Yes, huge difference, tiny cost, very easy procedure. She simply wouldn’t take the contact forward - is fine now.

 

[Hallo2012]

almost 100% these will be your issue IME they always cause problems

 

[IrishMilo]

That's reassuring to hear, thanks! I've always left them in as I've never had an issue before but I've decided I'm going to have them out.

 

[Andie02]

Yes, I always had them taken before ever putting a bit in. IMO they always cause problems.

 

[Mrs. Jingle]

Yes I had it done only once on a Connie x TB, and it unfortunately made very little difference to her. But having said that when I started riding her bitless six months or so later she was much improved, so perhaps I just didn't persevere with allowing it to settle and trying various bits first. But back then we really didn't use a huge selection of bits, I am sure these days I could have found something to suit her far sooner and not needed to resort to bitless.

 

[IrishMilo]

The vet’s here at the moment. He actually has already had his wolf teeth removed so must have been done years ago. Some sharp edges and ulceration again. He’s fully doped up so we can have a really good go at them. Fingers crossed this is all it is.

 

[Bobthecob15]

Literally have the same as you, ex racer, 6yr old! He also has his (well one is partially through). Dentist recommended taking them out in case, vet had a good look and feel and was happy to leave them as no issues with the contact at the moment…I’ve only just got him though so this may change.

We will definitely take them out if they start to cause issues. Apparently 6 is quite old to have them out so you can run into issues but your vet can advise. They need a bit of time off after to allow the mouth to heal too.

 

[IrishMilo]

Literally have the same as you, ex racer, 6yr old! He also has his (well one is partially through). Dentist recommended taking them out in case, vet had a good look and feel and was happy to leave them as no issues with the contact at the moment…I’ve only just got him though so this may change.

We will definitely take them out if they start to cause issues. Apparently 6 is quite old to have them out so you can run into issues but your vet can advise. They need a bit of time off after to allow the mouth to heal too.

They'd actually already been taken out which I'm relieved about as I was feeling mean putting him through it! I had a good feel before and after and they're much better now - this is the 3rd time they've been done in a year, although admittedly the first time didn't really count as he was such a pain my poor dentist couldn't do much.

 

[IrishMilo]

Very good at a floppy lip is our Kobe!

https://imgur.com/3tUv82i