Wolf Teeth Shock!

Gleeful Imp

Gleeful Imp

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:eek Just had a different dentist today for George, and this is the 1st time I've been able to be there. Well :eek::eek:

George is 11/12 and I thought he may have developed a couple of sharper areas as he has been a little hangy on the right.

But, he has massive wolf teeth, twice the size of normal, (they look like he's got canines) which have been worn smooth where his bit is.:(

This is the cob successfully competing BD, arena eventing, combined training, hacking you name it he does it. Only today we had a very hard session in a workers clinic where he was a pingy star.

Clearly he's had these for a number of years, and it seems he's just put up with it.

So out they come, but I am feeling traumatised (yes, I am a soft lump) that these have sat there all this time.

No wonder he had a real wobble when I tried him in a ported pelham .....

And the sad thing is- he has had regular dentistry since he was 4 (I know his previous owner).

This may sound stupid, but if his wolf teeth are being worn smooth by the action of the bit - that's really not good is it?

I'm so shocked by it I've left my bag at the yard and brought George's swede home instead. :rolleyes:
 
Um - actually I am not sure - but.... we never ever used to take wolf teeth out as a matter of routine. Only if the horse was showing discomfort in that area.

Seems to me that vets and dentists seems to be in too much of a rush to whip these out for no reason these days.
 
I would not worry too much, it really has only een the last few years that we have been whipping them out as part of general dentisty work.
If he has not been showing he was feeling any pain, i would say he prob has not
 
i have paddy and he is 5 very nearly 6 :D he has seen the dentist a few times but the last time we got a special dentist and he showed me that my poor boy only had one wolf tooth :(:( he was in the process of telling me that the vet is going to charge me loads to get it out and when he touched it it wobbled :D:D so that was it the end of it :):) i have it down stairs now :D i show it too all my guests :eek::eek:
 
One of the youngsters had the dentist up to see him a month or 2 ago to remove his wolf teeth.

Once he was sedated the dentist found 4 of them!! Apparently it happens but is really rare?! He was being photographed for a horsey mag article on dentistry. Cant remember which one though
 
ditto, i'm not the EDT expert BUT it makes sense that if he's happy in his work and in his mouth, don't do something so major to an older horse... it's my understanding that if you have them removed when the horse is young, the wolf teeth aren't really rooted in, they're a bit floating (not v technical i know) and relatively easy to pop the whole thing out in 1 piece... not so in an older horse.
 
but isnt OP saying that he isn't comfortable in his work anymore? that he's hanging to the right and not accepting the bit?
sorry if ive misread.
 
Sorry not replied folks been out watching some PSG dressage to music - lovely!

George is a bit hangy on the right rein - but I have to say this is not major and will work through to the contact.

The one thing I wondered about is that at any opportunity he will get his tongue over the bit - and he is quite a stoical lad, things have to really hurt before he says no.

Dentist thought the wolf teeth, due their size and clear interaction with the bit would be affecting him.

But if as VictoriaEDT says the nerve is ossified then surely it won't be affecting him?

I must admit I am concerned about removing them but also concerned about leaving them!

Aggghhhh! I feel some internet research coming!
 
FDC,

Is Fany's resting on the bit or not interfering?

Its the tongueover the bit tendency in George that has me wondering. I am thinking second opinion.
 
My sister is an equine dentist, and she dosnt remove wolf teeth unless causing a real issue. She see's horses with big wolf teeth, inc my girl, but she just rasps them smooth with the 1st molar. This is far more likly to have happened, than its been worn by a bit!
If your horse has been working so well, all this time, it cant be the wolf tooth causing the issue.
 
Gleeful Imp said:
FDC,

Is Fany's resting on the bit or not interfering?

Its the tongueover the bit tendency in George that has me wondering. I am thinking second opinion.
Click to expand...

Not interfering at all. She is in a mullen mouth Pelham. Fany can get her tongue over her bit give half a chance, I don't think it is because of her wolf tooth, more because she can, she is ridden in a flash to keep her mouth closed, which I hate. Our EDT checks Fany every time she sees Captain (3/4 months ) and says there are no probs and to leave it.

Hope you get it sorted

FDC
 
Mine had his wolf teeth out just before Christmas, because they sat right where the bit would go and could cause problems. I know of horses that don't need to have wolf teeth removed because they don't interfere with the bit.
 
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