Wolf Teeth?

[Carlosmum]

I know its been asked before but I'm afraid I am asking again.. I have just bought a 5 yr old pony gelding. He still has his wolf teeth, though he has been backed I've not yet ridden him ( need saddle fitted ) and I don't feel confident enough to decide whether his teeth will interfere with his bit. My gut feeling tells me he should have them removed anyway to avoid any potential issues, however if its not necessary does it need doing? My previous pony was done as a yearling when we gelded him. I will be asking the vet to do vaccinations at the end of the month and to give him a once over ( he failed the vet ... long story) so it seems an ideal time to attend to his teeth, and as he will be sedated possible a sheath wash too. With all this potentially going on, it it might be worth taking him to the horsepital to avoid the visit cost! Any thoughts would be much appreciated

 

[Andie02]

Definitely have them out, to avoid any potential issues later.

 

[Quigleyandme]

I’ve just had the vet give my three year olds a dental during which he yanked out their wolf teeth which were already wobbly. I’ve been told wolf teeth extraction is no longer routinely performed but I reckon they are better off without.

 

[Andie02]

I always had them taken out before ever putting a bit in their mouths.

 

[Roasted Chestnuts]

My four yr old has his and they don’t bother him, I’m kind of a if it ain’t broke don’t mess with it type of person. If they become an issue I’ll have them out but until then he can keep them.

 

[JBM]

I have a 5 year old tb with them..he seemed to race fine with them so if he has no trouble they’re cute

 

[nutjob]

It's best to ask your vet for advise. My vets don't advise you to remove them now if they are not causing a problem. My 3yo has had his out as they were quite large and sharp, another one had a crack in the tooth and it was unstable. I have also had horses who have never had them out and didn't have a problem.

 

[Birker2020]

I know its been asked before but I'm afraid I am asking again.. I have just bought a 5 yr old pony gelding. He still has his wolf teeth, though he has been backed I've not yet ridden him ( need saddle fitted ) and I don't feel confident enough to decide whether his teeth will interfere with his bit. My gut feeling tells me he should have them removed anyway to avoid any potential issues, however if its not necessary does it need doing? My previous pony was done as a yearling when we gelded him. I will be asking the vet to do vaccinations at the end of the month and to give him a once over ( he failed the vet ... long story) so it seems an ideal time to attend to his teeth, and as he will be sedated possible a sheath wash too. With all this potentially going on, it it might be worth taking him to the horsepital to avoid the visit cost! Any thoughts would be much appreciated

My 10 year old had one wolf tooth removed last year when I first purchased him. I had the EDT out within the first ten days as the EDT was due according to the previous owner, who told me he had a wolf tooth. I asked the EDT's opinion and he said where it was located it would be better to come out, it was relatively simple and it was a bit loose anway and he could do it there and then. I don't think I wanted it taken out without the vet as I felt it was kinder to give him some pain relief/sedation which is what happened and the EDT had to revisit.

That's probably me to be fair though, I'm totally squeamish when it comes to teeth and couldn't be anywhere around.

 

[Polos Mum]

I know the vet advice has change - but I'm honestly not sure I understand why.

Why would you wait until your young horse associates the bit / riding with pain to do something preventative.

I am very old fashioned though. To leave them in I would want a specialist qualified person (normal vets don't always do specialist dental qualifications) to show me were the bit would sit and to guarantee that it would never touch the wolf teeth in that particular horse. Then I can understand the "if it's not broken why fix it" approach.

But waiting for your newly broken youngster to behave badly enough for you to understand that he's in pain from the metal thinggy banging against his teeth - just doesn't make sense to me.
Then when he's displayed bad behaviour you take them out and have to undo all the negative association with the bridle before you can start again!

 

[JackFrost]

I had a 5 year old where vet said the wolf tooth wasn't causing a problem, but horse clearly said it was! Had tooth removed and problem immediately solved, and you could see where the bit had sat on the tooth. I have another 5 year old with some slight mouth issue (?), so I have just had the wolf tooth taken out. The process both times was simple, took about 10 seconds under sedation, and vets were happy to do. If you are having the vet anyway, and sedating, I'd get their opinion, but probably do it at the same time.