Equine Dentistry

Equine Dentistry in Lincoln, AR

Welcome to Smithers Animal Hospital-Lincoln, where we offer equine dentistry as part of our large animal services for horse owners in Lincoln, Prairie Grove, Farmington, Summers, and beyond. Routine dental care helps your horse eat comfortably, hold its weight and perform at its best.

Understanding Equine Dentistry

A horse’s teeth keep erupting slowly throughout much of its life and are worn down by chewing. When they don’t wear evenly, sharp points, hooks and ridges can form. These can cut the cheeks and tongue, make chewing painful and keep your horse from getting the most out of its feed.

Dental problems don’t only show up at the feed bucket. A sore mouth can also make a horse resist the bit, toss its head or act up under saddle, and problems are easy to miss because they sit far back in the mouth where owners can’t see them.

Whether you have a young horse just starting under saddle, a working horse or a senior with aging teeth, regular dental checks are an important part of keeping your horse healthy. Dental care pairs well with your horse’s routine exam and vaccines through our food animal and equine medicine services.

What to Expect at Your Horse’s Dental Visit

We want you to know what happens during your horse’s dental care before you schedule. Here’s how a typical visit works:

Sedation for Comfort and Safety

Horses are commonly sedated for a dental exam. Sedation keeps your horse calm and still so the veterinarian can see and reach the back of the mouth safely and comfortably.

A Thorough Oral Exam

Your veterinarian looks over your horse’s head and mouth, checking the teeth, gums, cheeks and tongue for sharp points, uneven wear, loose or broken teeth, and other problems.

Floating and Correction

If sharp points or uneven surfaces are found, the teeth are filed down and smoothed, a process known as floating. This helps restore a more even chewing surface and relieves sore spots inside the mouth.

A Plan Going Forward

Your veterinarian will let you know what was found and when your horse should be checked again. Bring up any feeding, weight or riding concerns during the visit so we can take them into account.

Why Regular Dental Care Matters for Your Horse

Every horse benefits from regular dental care, and many veterinarians recommend a dental exam at least once a year. Young horses losing baby teeth, older horses and horses with a history of dental trouble may need to be checked more often. Catching small problems early keeps them from becoming bigger, more painful ones.

• Comfortable chewing: A smoother, more even chewing surface helps your horse eat without pain.
• Better use of feed: Horses that chew well get more out of their hay and grain and hold their weight more easily.
• Better under saddle: Relieving sore spots in the mouth can help with head tossing and resistance to the bit.
• Early detection: Regular checks catch loose, broken or unevenly worn teeth before they cause bigger trouble.

Watch for signs that your horse’s teeth need attention, such as dropping feed while eating, chewing slowly or on one side, weight loss, whole grain or long fibers in the manure, bad breath, nasal discharge, facial swelling, head tossing or resistance to the bit. See everything we offer for horses and livestock on our large animal services page.