Identify Important Behavioral Signs With The Zoetis Equine Dental Wellness Survey

By Jeff Hall, DVM, senior equine technical services veterinarian, Zoetis

Could dental pain be the culprit for your horse’s behavioral problems? A recent study published in the Journal of Equine Veterinary Science established a link between common equine behavior problems and abscessed cheek teeth. Periapical infections or abscessed cheek teeth are common in horses¹ and will usually induce pain that is displayed in your horse’s behavior. According to the research, half of the cases of periapical infections were diagnosed during routine dental examinations, indicating that horse owners were unaware of the association between undesirable behavioral patterns of their horses and dental pain.¹

February is Equine Dental Health Awareness Month, which provides a great opportunity to schedule dental examinations to ensure your horse’s health, wellness and behavior are all in check.

Behavioral Problems Linked to Tooth Pain

Common behavioral signs associated with cheek teeth abscesses fall into three main categories