Dental care is an important part of maintaining your horse's health; unfortunately, it is sometimes overlooked. That is, until something starts to feel off or your horse’s behavior changes. Most people notice a change in appetite, balling food, or challenges when riding first. While there could be several reasons for this behavior change, one tiny culprit might be hiding in plain sight: wolf teeth.
What Are Wolf Teeth, Anyway?
Despite the name, wolf teeth are small, peg-like teeth that usually show up just in front of the first cheek teeth (premolars), most commonly in the upper jaw. These teeth don’t serve any real purpose today. They’re considered vestigial, meaning they’re leftovers from earlier stages in the horse’s evolution. The ancestral species of horses needed wolf teeth to grind tough plant material. Their diet and jaw structure changed as horses evolved, so they no longer use them. Think of them as similar to our appendix; they had a purpose at one point, but are not needed for survival now.
Not all horses have wolf teeth, but if they do, they typically erupt between 6-18 months. Some are fully erupted and visible, while others stay hidden below the gum line. These are known as blind wolf teeth. Similar to wisdom teeth in people, the ones you can’t see tend to cause the most trouble.
Are Wolf Teeth a Problem?
The short answer is that wolf teeth can be a problem, but not always. Because of where they sit in the mouth, wolf teeth can interfere with the bit, especially in performance horses. When the bit presses against these teeth, it may cause pain or irritation. Your veterinarian or dentist can check your horse for wolf teeth.
Common signs of wolf teeth becoming an issue include tossing their head and resistance to the bit, trouble turning or stopping, or general changes in behavior under saddle. Many people mistake these symptoms for training issues. In reality, these could be the result of pain from bit pressure on wolf teeth.
Do Wolf Teeth Need to Be Removed?
Wolf teeth are not always a problem, and not all wolf teeth need to come out. If they are not causing an issue, most veterinarians will recommend leaving them. However, in some cases, especially with riding or competition horses, removal is recommended to prevent discomfort and avoid behavioral problems.
Removing wolf teeth is quick and relatively simple. A vet will typically sedate your horse, use a mouth speculum for access, and remove the teeth. Most horses recover quickly without complications.
Keeping Your Horse Comfortable
Routine dental care is the best way to catch things like wolf teeth early on. If you’ve got a young horse, it’s a good idea to schedule a dental exam around the one-year mark. You might even do it sooner if you plan on introducing them to a bit. Older horses will also benefit from regular check-ups, since sometimes wolf teeth go unnoticed for years.
