Wolf teeth in older horse - remove or not?

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I had a new shiny dentist out yesterday, who recommended I removed my horses wolf teeth (well, the vet obviously, I'm not going to do it myself ;) ) if I want to start competing again as it will make him more comfortable - he also noted lots of bit wear on his teeth :o

Now, I think I always knew they were there, and because afaik they don't cause any problems I had left well alone. Horse is now 12, just about recovering from ligament/tendon issues and I would really like to start jumping again. So what would you do, remove or leave? He seems fine ish in his mouth, although my contact/flatwork has never been amazing I put that down to my lack of ability! Will removing make a drastic difference, or make him more comfortable?

Thankyou! :)
 
I would be interested to hear what others say - my youngster has 3 wolf teeth - she was due to have them out 3 weeks ago but we put that on hold whislt she has been so poorly.
 
Not sure whether I would remove them at that age or not. My dentist did remove my youngsters one and only wolf tooth a few weeks ago and it was very simple for her, the tooth was big but the root was small!

She was if the opinion that if she can hold the tooth and try to move it and it doesn't move then the bit won't make it move either, if she can move it easily then the bit can too and it could cause discomfort.

She doesn't like removing them for no reason, would only do it if causing problems
 
Personally I would be tempted to take them out. I know many people would say leave well alone if they're not causing a problem but as you've said the contact hasn't been great in the past and the dentist noticed bit wear (assume that was on wolf teeth?) it would be worth a try to see if the contact improved - some horses are pretty stoic and problems aren't appreciated till the improvement is seen once the cause is removed. My son is an EDT and says some horses are amazingly resiliant to dental problems that must cause them considerable pain. If it doesn't help at least you've discounted one thing from a list of possible causes :)
 
Thanks for replies :)
Cost I've just found out would be about £250 inc sedation and call out, so not too bad.

Wheels, the EDT said he can't remove teeth unless they're nigh on falling out, and these are bedded in iykwim.

Thanks anunz, that's good to know :)

Eventingmum, that's just it, he's always been ok with his mouth, but he doesn't properly take a contact forwards and is not always that forward going (although that could be just laziness!) So I do wonder now if he'd be a much happier horse without them. :)
 
Will you have the vet remove them then ?

I have the choice of having the horse sedated and our dentist taking them out, or having the vets sedate and take them out.

I usually go with dentist for teeth and vets for everything else..... .but i am not so sure this time.
 
Couple of years ago, my horse chipped his wolf tooth, and it got a bit infected. Vet came to give him some antibiotics, and then tried to book him in for an operation to remove it (which would involve taking him to the hospital, as they have large roots on them).

Dentist came out and had a look, filed the sharp point off and said it would be fine!
 
My 10 year old gelding has wolf teeth. EDT said they were small but if they werent causing any trouble to leave them alone. So thats what I have done :D
 
Taking them out won't make him worse, and may make him better: I'd have them out and see if that improved the contact issues. If there were no issues at all I'd leave in.
 
You see, when I say issues, it's not that he's that bad, just not that great either! Could just be my poor riding, in fact, that quite likely! But yes, he won't get worse without them, and might get better so I feel it's worth it. I'll wait till the insurance pay out for his last (large!) bill then book him in. I won't put this on the insurance tho.

Gingerwitch when it come to things like cutting, I think for me I would go with the vet, plus if the vets there to sedate, they may as well do it. I would also think in the event of anything going wrong the vet would be best placed to sort it, and would be insured for the procedure,and I'm not sure an edt would?
 
Stencilface - i just have the heeby jebies about anything being sedated for anything at the moment - i know what happened to my big lad was a one in a billion chance but it was a sedation that started the process.

I am almost thinking of riding her in a hackamore so she does not have to have a bit in - but thats me over reacting too.
 
Insurance won't cover it anyway so you couldn't go down that route but as they're not causing an issue then why remove them? I seriously don't think think they are causing an issue - you'd know about it if they were!!! When he was vetted (8 years ago) the vet said then he had them but as they were right up against his molars they were unlikely to cause an issue and you know the previous dentist has said the same. IMO it's a waste of money but hey ho, it's your money! :)
 
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