Horse teeth are the source of a few colloquial idioms, such as “long in the tooth”, and “don’t look a gift horse in the mouth”. But what of the more serious aspects of equine dental care?

1. How many teeth do horses have?

Like us, horses are diphyodontous, meaning they have two sets of teeth during their lifetime. They lose the baby (or deciduous) set around three to five years of age, which are pushed out by the adult set. Adult horses have around 36–42 teeth. Male horses tend to have 40, while mares usually have 36–40. This is because the majority of mares do not grow canine teeth.

2. What type of teeth do horses have?

Equines are heterodontous – which means their mouths contain different shapes of teeth for different purposes.

• Premolars and molars, also called cheek teeth: for chewing and grazing, these make up more than half of the teeth in the horse’s mouth, with six of each on the top and bottom jaw each side.
• Incisors: the 12 teeth at the front of the mouth (six upper and six lower), used for biting off grass and grabbing hay – or nipping each other and other unwanted behaviours!
• Canines or tushes: short, sharp teeth found in male horses and a small proportion of mares, in between the incisors and cheek teeth. Originally used for fighting and serve no purpose in the modern horse
• Wolf teeth: not present in all horses. Wolf teeth are often removed as they can interfere with the bit placement in the ridden horse and cause contact issues.

3. Why do we need to rasp teeth?

A horse’s tooth and root are several inches long. Each tooth continues to erupt through the gum at a rate of 3mm per year on average, with more tooth emerging in the younger horse.

Horses were originally designed to eat coarse vegetation for 18-20 hours per day. The modern horse, however, is largely fed on lush grass and soft hay and their chewing time has changed with the different diet. Another factor is horses eating with their heads up, for example munching from haynets can alter tooth wear.

These changes produce extremely sharp points, which can damage the soft tissues within the mouth and need to be removed by rasping – also called floating.

Unlike humans, horses have hypsodont teeth, which have enamel extending into the gumline and the nerves are deeper within the tooth so floating does not cause them pain unless it is overdone. Unless, for some reason, a horse takes a severe aversion to the routine rasping process, sedation is unnecessary. However, in cases requiring motorised equipment or where a detailed diagnostic assessment is necessary, judicious use of sedation under vet supervision is appropriate.

4. Can regular dental treatment reduce the risk of colic?

Yes. Horses and ponies who have their teeth checked regularly have been shown to be at reduced risk of colic caused by large colon impaction/distension. But it is important not to over-rasp the teeth, as that may make it hard for the horse to eat and could cause colic.

The pulp is the term applied to the internal blood and nerve supply to a horse’s tooth. Horses’ teeth have a blood and nerve supply that enters at the root (apex) and travels up inside the tooth. These pulps are numerous and communicate with the dentine of the tooth, meaning that equine teeth are very much living structures, to be respected and preserved where possible. If we rasp more than 3-4mm off the surface of a horse’s tooth, we can expose these pulps and potentially cause irreparable damage.

A good rule of thumb is for horses to see the equine dental technician at least once a year, but if there are issues needing monitoring, they may suggest more frequent check-ups.

5. Can dental issues be linked directly to poor performance?

Yes. When a horse is uncomfortable he may hold his head in an unnatural position, which can cause pain in the poll, neck and back. When a horse is asked to work in an outline, he needs to be able to work comfortably in the vertical head position. This means the lower jaw moves forwards slightly owing to the change in body position, so it’s important to make sure there are no overgrowths that would affect this. A tight noseband may make this more uncomfortable for a horse. There is a view that rounding off the front of the second pre-molars helps reduce discomfort — the so-called bit seat.

6. How can you tell a horse is suffering from dental pain?

Slow eating, weight loss, choke, dropping food (quidding) and bad breath are all signs of possible dental pain and should be looked into immediately. But often the signs are much more subtle. As detailed in point 5, some horses may indicate pain in their mouth through poor performance or bad behaviour. Research has also found that the horse grimace scale can be used to identify dental pain.

A horse’s natural chewing action may change in response to pain, but obvious signs of discomfort may not be apparent. They can adjust their chewing patterns to adapt to dental pain, often to the point where owners are unaware that there is a problem. When they eventually show the problem, it may be too late to treat. Meanwhile, the result is the abnormal wearing of the teeth, which may eventually result in severe overgrowths and other painful dental disease.

The good news is that early intervention, through regular veterinary checks and careful rasping, may well prevent many future dental issues.

6. Why might it be necessary to X-ray a horse’s teeth?

Traditional oral examinations can only show about one-tenth of the horse’s tooth. In some cases changes in horse’s teeth can be picked up through a thorough oral examination with sedation, and with use of a dental mirror and more sophisticated techniques, oral endoscopy (examination by camera) shows us a clearer magnified view of the teeth.

Such examinations, however, will only show the part of the tooth visible in the mouth — the clinical crown. To assess the remaining tooth, many vets now use digital X-rays and, in some cases a CT (computerised tomography) scan or a combination of both of these to examine the tooth beneath the gum.

7. How do I care for my veteran horse’s teeth?

Equine teeth continue to erupt until around 18 years of age. The older horse needs to be treated with caution because, unlike young animals, their cheek teeth have stopped growing and there is no reserve crown left, so any tooth rasped away will never be replaced.

As the horse ages, molars eventually wear out and become level with the gums — this is sometimes called “cupping” or expired teeth. Once this has occurred the horse will require special dietary management. Horses can also develop gaps between their teeth, known as diastema. These gaps become impacted with food, which can lead to painful gingivitis.

Look out for chewed-up balls of forage, and quidding, where the horse spills and drops feed as they chew. Foul-smelling breath and pain when chewing can also indicate tooth abscesses or the presence of compacted feed in a diastema.

Veteran horses with poor dentition will need to be fed appropriately to ensure they receive all the vital nutrients. Short-chopped fibre feeds are a good alternative for horses struggling to chew long-length forage. You could also feed pelleted fibres or feed that needs soaking to ease chewing such as sugar beet pulp. Most feed companies offer a veteran range.

You should also consider a digestive supplement to help the microbes in the gut.

8. How do I tell a horse’s age by its teeth?

This is harder than you might think – it depends on what sort of nutrition the horse has had and how much wear on the teeth. Beyond the age of 10 it’s more of an estimate, even for the experts. Five things to look out for are:

• Occurrence of permanent teeth – for instance, by the age of five, most horses have a full set of adult teeth; tusks in male horses tend to appear around four or five
• Disappearance of cups – indentures in the centres of the surface of the tooth, which gradually disappear to become smooth from six to around 11 years
• Hooks – a hook appears through wear on the upper corner incisor around seven, disappears a year later; repeating at around 13
• Angle of incidence – the older the horse, the more acute the angle of the incisors
• Galvayne’s Groove – a vertical line occurs on the upper corner incisor at around the age of 10, reaching halfway down the tooth at around 15 and the whole way by 20. It then gradually starts disappearing, and is gone altogether on those horses who reach the age of 30

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The pregnant partner of an equine dental technician (EDT) who was told he may have to leave the country next week has described the situation as “awful”.

Sophie Seymour, who runs a schooling and training business in Gloucestershire, has been with James Sheppard for two and a half years. But the Australian EDT has been in the UK for 12 years, and spent thousands on his application for indefinite leave to remain in this country.

Sophie told H&H James has had to “jump through hoops” on numerous occasions over the years, during which he has made a significant positive contribution to the UK economy, and finally, last year, was told that if he passed the “life in the UK test”, his application would be successful.

“He passed first time and said ‘Yes, that’s it’; he just had to wait for the leave to remain to be granted,” Sophie said. “Then this morning [6 December] we got an email from the Home Office saying that because he’d travelled outside the country, his application was withdrawn.”

The email said that James had to leave the UK by 17 December, or try to apply again, with no guarantee he would be accepted, and with all the costs and processes to bear once more.

“For over eight years, he’s been going to Germany and Dubai, twice a year, to do horses’ teeth,” Sophie said. “We’ve never been told he wasn’t allowed to go abroad, he’s always paid UK taxes on what he’s earned overseas, and even the solicitor we work with never mentioned it. If we’d known he wasn’t allowed to go abroad, he wouldn’t have done it.”

Sophie added that James has always paid his taxes – including £16,000 just before the Home Office email arrived – as well as taking care of UK horses’ teeth and employing and training British people.

“It just feels like they want more and more money from him,” she said, adding that her major worry is that hers and James’s baby is due next month.

“I don’t want to have this baby on my own,” she said. “I’m too pregnant to fly; people have said ‘Just go with him’ but if he got deported, I wouldn’t be able to go with him. It’s awful. He’s done everything he’s supposed to do but they don’t seem to care. I don’t know what to do next.”

H&H contacted the Home Office yesterday and today (7 December) a spokesman said: “Immigration rules clearly state once an application for leave to remain is submitted, applicants cannot travel outside the common travel area until a decision is reached otherwise it will be deemed withdrawn.

“We will be in touch with Mr Sheppard and are considering his application.”

Sophie added today that the Home Office said, given the circumstances, the withdrawal has itself been withdrawn, James’s application has been reinstated and a decision is due next week.

“I have no doubt that this complete U-turn has nothing to do with the circumstances, and everything to do with the negative press they have received since we went public,” she said.

“So many others have been deported in similar circumstances and it is so, so wrong. My heart breaks for those who aren’t so fortunate. The immigration system needs to change, hopefully our story will help that.”

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Urgent changes are needed to the “outdated” Veterinary Surgeons Act say veterinary professionals – as calls for new legislation continue.

On 25 October the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons (RCVS) met MPs, peers and stakeholders at the House of Lords to discuss the need to replace the Act with new legislation. It is hoped any replacement would include paraprofessionals, such as physios and equine dental technicians, becoming regulated under the RCVS umbrella, and the RCVS held a publication consultation for feedback on the topic last year (news, 25 February 2021).

The meeting focused on the “importance of a vet-led team” and it was discussed how the profession had changed since the Act was brought into force in 1966.

Lord Trees, a vet and former RCVS president, said the Act is “no longer fit for purpose” and there is an “urgent need for change”.

“The regulation of the veterinary professions is of utmost importance to animal welfare and all members of the veterinary team must be able to be held accountable for their actions, both for the protection of the animals under their care, and in terms of the wider public interest,” he said.

“The UK is proud of its world-leading approach to public health and animal welfare and, if we are to continue to uphold and champion our animal health and welfare standards, it is essential that we work and evolve together to create a Veterinary Surgeons Act which is not only fit for purpose now but will continue to serve us effectively for years to come.”

British Equine Veterinary Association (BEVA) projects officer Lucy Grieve told H&H BEVA commends the work being done by the RCVS in continuing to lobby for a new Act.

“While it remains a slow process, new legislation could provide greater protection for owners when allied professionals carry out work on their horses. At present there is no regulation for musculoskeletal therapists, equine dental technicians, or others, which means it is difficult for anyone to know who to choose, how qualified they are and whether they are accountable should something go wrong,” she said.

“New legislation could help ensure that only appropriately trained and regulated individuals are allowed to provide healthcare services to horses. Without set standards and clarity, the welfare of horses is put at risk.”

The Association of Chartered Physiotherapists in Animal Therapy (ACPAT) attended the RCVS meeting and a spokesman told H&H the organisation is advocating for “specific changes and considerations with welfare at the forefront”.

“It is essential that all parties work together to provide optimal care for our patients. ACPAT believes animals should be provided with the same level of care as is offered within human medicine; within human medicine physiotherapists are an integral part of the multidisciplinary team and a close working relationship usually exists between the medical team and healthcare allied professionals,” said the spokesman.

“This ensures a holistic approach to patient care that aims to optimise wellbeing and outcome. This multidisciplinary approach also offers great benefit to our veterinary patients with collaboration between professionals helping to provide a full care package.”

An RCVS spokesman told H&H the society will continue to work with Defra and other stakeholders, and has followed up with MPs and peers who attended the meeting to have “more in-depth conversations about the campaign”. But the spokesman added that the parliamentary process is “out of the RCVS’s hands”.

“For new legislation to be passed, it is very much dependent on current priorities within Defra, the Government’s overall agenda, when parliamentary time can be secured and current competing bills within the Defra and animal welfare sphere,” he said.

A Defra spokesman told H&H the department is “aware of the views of the veterinary profession and the many potential benefits associated with updating the Act”.

“The department is currently unable to provide a timescale as to when any reforms might take place. When reforms are taken forward, all of the proposals will be subject to a public consultation,” he said.

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The Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons is asking for feedback on veterinary paraprofessionals. H&H finds out what this could mean for equine practitioners and owners

PARAPROFESSIONALS could become regulated under the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons’ (RCVS) umbrella in the hopes of tightening industry standards.

The RCVS legislation reform consultation is asking for feedback from the public and professionals on recommendations for changes in which professions are governed.

The consultation, which closes on 23 April, follows findings by the RCVS legislation working party (LWP), established in 2017, which aimed to propose changes to the Veterinary Surgeons Act (VSA) to ensure the RCVS can be a “modern and efficient” regulator.

A spokesman for the RCVS told H&H one key principle of the LWP’s work was that the vet-led team, including vet nurses, should fall under a single regulatory umbrella. The LWP defined the vet-led team as “appropriately regulated professionals working under the direction of a veterinary surgeon, to protect animal health and welfare”.

“The LWP proposed a model of paraprofessional regulation, allowing the RCVS to regulate all members of the vet-led team,” he said.

“This could include equine dental technicians [EDTs] and musculoskeletal therapists, whose work has been identified as requiring stronger legislative underpinning that would need to be linked with RCVS Associate status.”

The spokesman added the RCVS has a long-standing recommendation that the title “‘veterinary nurse” should be legally protected to prevent its use by unqualified, unregulated individuals, and continues to seek this change in the law.

“The protection of professional titles gives clarity and assurance to the public and prevents untrained individuals from claiming expertise they do not have,” said the spokesman. “The LWP report reaffirmed this recommendation, and further recommended that protection of title be extended to any new paraprofessions that fall under the RCVS’s regulatory umbrella.”

British Association of Equine Dental Technicians (BAEDT) chairman James Arkley told H&H the association has been liaising “very closely” with the RCVS and Defra on the consultation and supports a “much-needed” review of the VSA making it fit for purpose for modern veterinary services.

“BAEDT feels paraprofessionals, specifically EDTs, being regulated as vets and vet nurses are, will only improve horse welfare and provide much-needed clarity to the horse-owning public and businesses on who is qualified to perform equine dentistry in the UK,” he said.

“In initial feedback, BAEDT has identified issues and benefits that would impact our members following the working party recommendation report. The RCVS has committed BAEDT will be involved in all future paraprofessional discussions and sees BAEDT and its qualified membership as an integral part of the vet-led team proposals.

“We hope and trust the RCVS will continue to recognise the extensive experience and continued professional development training our membership must undertake, the British Equine Veterinary Association equine dentistry qualification, and how this gives the public confidence they are using individuals who have met a high standard of workmanship and are working with the horse’s best interests at the fore.”

Eleanor Andrews, president of the Register of Animal Musculoskeletal Practitioners (RAMP) said the organisation “welcomes” the consultation.

She told H&H: “We hope it will provide clarity and direction at the end of years of regulatory uncertainty, continuing the positive outcome from the recent statement of clarification.

“We hope it will enable continued positive development in supporting animal welfare and improving treatment standards among the musculoskeletal professions, aiding ease of access to highly skilled practitioners and improving the confidence of vets and the general public in their animal’s health care. All of which support RAMP’s fundamental principles,” she said.

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Stay in touch with all the news in the run-up to and throughout the major shows and events during 2026 and beyond with a Horse & Hound subscription. Subscribe today for all you need to know ahead of these major events, plus online reports on the action as it happens from our expert team of reporters and in-depth analysis in our special commemorative magazines. Have a subscription already? Set up your unlimited website access now

A diseased or damaged molar that is beyond repair is best removed, but how? Neil Townsend MRCVS explains

Dental extraction can appear daunting to an owner. When performed by a suitably qualified and skilled clinician, however, with the correct equipment, it can be a routine procedure. Often, the patient does not have to stay in hospital, and time off following extraction is minimal.

The most common reason for removal of a molar (cheek) tooth is infection of its roots, termed apical infection.

Signs of infection can vary, dependent upon which tooth is involved. Generally, infection of mandibular (lower) cheek teeth creates a swelling on the bottom of the jaw, which may burst out into a draining tract (a surface wound). Apical infection of the front maxillary (upper) cheek teeth usually causes swelling in front of the facial crest – the bony ridge either side of the face. Because the back maxillary teeth have their roots within the sinuses, infection typically causes nasal discharge.

Teeth may become apically infected or require extraction as a result of fracture, advanced dental caries (decay), periodontal (gum) disease or a blood or lymphatic-borne tooth infection. Signs may be subtle, ranging from ‘quidding’, or spitting out, of long fibre in the case of infection, to tenderness over a facial swelling. Occasionally, a ‘dead’ tooth with open pulps (the soft, central area) is only identified during routine dental examination.

A detailed oral exam under sedation can give clues as to which tooth is involved, by identifying fractures, open pulps, dental caries and periodontal disease. This will also provide vital information about the infected tooth, notably the integrity of its crown and whether the tooth is already mobile.

Radiography (X-rays) are used examine the roots of the cheek teeth and the surrounding structures. A marker can be placed over any facial swelling beforehand, to see which tooth sits beneath it. Similarly, a probe placed into a draining tract will often go directly to the affected tooth.

Advanced imaging such as computed tomography (CT) can be useful in cases where radiography and oral examination fails to reach a diagnosis.

Extraction of cheek teeth should only be performed by a veterinary surgeon, unless a tooth is so loose that can be manipulated by the fingers – as is sometimes seen in geriatrics. A qualified equine dental technician (EDT) may then perform the procedure.

Extraction methods

Oral extraction is usually the preferred starting technique where a portion of the tooth is present within the mouth. This is performed under sedation with a regional nerve block in place, along with local anaesthetic.

Right-angled elevators are used to separate the gingiva (gum) from around the tooth, and molar spreaders are placed between the affected tooth and those adjacent to it. These tools are gradually manipulated before being replaced with thicker instruments. Forceps are then secured to the tooth, which is further loosened by ‘wiggling’ until it can be lifted from its socket with a tool called a fulcrum.

Maxillary teeth fractured in the midline can be extracted orally – through the mouth – in many different ways. Each case should be considered individually; some clinicians prefer to loosen and remove the halves separately, while others glue the broken tooth together with dental resin and extract it in one piece.

Oral extraction most commonly fails due to further fracture of the tooth, usually due to pre-existing disease within it. A small portion of the tooth that is left may be loosened with right-angled picks and removed with forceps.

For teeth that are fractured below the gumline, a favoured technique is minimally-invasive transbuccal extraction (MTE). This must only be performed by vets with relevant further qualifications, in a clinic setting, using standing sedation and local anaesthesia.

A keyhole incision is made in the cheek and a small sleeve is passed through the skin into the mouth. Straight elevators are placed through the sleeve and guided around the tooth with the aid of an oral endoscope, to loosen the remaining tooth portion.

A hole is drilled into the tooth and a threaded pin is screwed into it, so that a slotted hammer used on the end of the pin can pull the tooth from its socket. The sleeve is removed and the incision is closed with skin staples.

Following the loosening of a tooth, a small pin can be inserted through the bone in order to push the remaining portion of the tooth into the mouth. Intra-oral division, where the tooth is divided into pieces with a rotating burr, may also be useful in selected cases.

After an oral or MTE extraction, the empty socket is usually ‘packed’ to prevent food accumulation. The packing material – gauze swabs, or dental putty – must be changed every one to two weeks until the socket has healed.

A draining tract may require daily cleaning until dry, while any skin staples are usually removed at the first packing change. Most horses can begin work again two weeks after extraction.

Potential problems

Ccomplications following these techniques are rare.

The most common is failure of the socket to heal adequately. If every fragment of tooth has been removed, this is usually due to a portion of dead socket bone, known as sequestrum, which may not become evident until three to four weeks post-extraction.

Recent research has shown this to be more common following mandibular extractions. Treatment involves removal of the sequestered portions of the socket with right-angled picks.

Extraction is generally more difficult the further back in the mouth the teeth are, as the space between them decreases. This is a particular issue in small ponies or miniature horses, since it is almost impossible to reach a hand to the back of the mouth.

Horses have ‘hypsodont’ teeth, meaning that they continue to erupt. A molar in a young horse can measure up to 10-12cm, which may be too long to pull into the mouth in its entirety. Cutting it into two may be necessary to allow delivery into the mouth.

Chronically diseased teeth can present challenges in addition to the risk of fracture; some lay down abnormal cementum (the surface layer) around their roots, becoming mushroom-shaped and extremely difficult to extract.

Of all the extraction methods, oral extraction has the lowest reported complication rate, of around 10%, dependent on study, compared with around 15%-25% for MTE. Both rates compare favourably to those for more complex surgical extractions or repulsions, however, performed under general anaesthesia. With these, complication rates can be as high as 60%.

Provided the tooth is removed successfully, and the socket heals without complication, an owner can expect the horse to recover fully with no further issues.

‘Fermenting food was visibly bubbling’

This eight-year-old thoroughbred gelding had a left-sided mandibular swelling, which was initially treated with oral antibiotics and anti-inflammatories. The swelling resolved but four months later burst out from the bottom of his jaw.

The gelding underwent a thorough oral examination at the equine clinic. All appeared normal at first glance, but, on closer examination, one of the tooth pulps contained fermenting food material that was visibly ‘bubbling’. Radiography was performed with a probe in the draining tract, revealing communication with the tooth roots and chronic infection.

With a mandibular nerve block in place and local anaesthetic injected around the tooth, the affected molar was successfully removed by oral extraction in around 40 minutes. The draining tract was cleaned, the socket was packed with a dental putty plug and the patient was allowed home.

The horse was back in work a fortnight later, and, by six weeks the socket was 80% healed. After three months, the mandibular swelling was barely noticeable.

Ref: 7 January 2021

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Dental check-ups should be a regular feature in your horse’s basic health care routine. Andrea Oakes looks at problems that can arise in the mouth

When it comes to equine dentistry, the days of a quick “once over” with a rusty rasp are long gone. Regular and detailed dental check-ups are now the norm for the well-cared for horse, allowing skilled practitioners to detect developing issues before they become real problems.

Since a comfortable mouth is a mainstay of good condition, behaviour and performance, it makes sense to start this routine care in a horse’s early years. When is it best to begin?

“Up until the age of five, a horse’s adult teeth are erupting and shedding their ‘caps’ – the remnants of the deciduous, or baby, teeth,” says Dr Kieran Rowley, an RCVS advanced veterinary practitioner in equine dentistry.

“We would generally recommend a first examination at around two to three years of age, provided that specific issues have not already become apparent.

“A check-up every six months is a good idea with the young horse, so that we can monitor the development of the mouth,” he adds. “We can also deal with any troublesome wolf teeth that may interfere with bitting and require extraction.”

Ideally, routine care will then be ongoing. A preventative approach is a must, explains Kieran, since horses can be surprisingly stoical when it comes to tooth problems.

“As a prey animal, a horse tends to hide pain – so an issue is usually quite advanced once outward signs become apparent to his owner,” he says. “For the adult horse we advise an examination every year, as an absolute minimum, and in some cases more often. This comprises an extra-oral exam, to check facial symmetry and the movement of the jaw and the temporomandibular joints that connect it to the skull, along with an intra-oral examination, inside the mouth, frequently using a gag, a bright head torch, mirrors and small instruments called picks.

“The vet or equine dental technician will be looking for periodontal [gum] disease and tooth problems including holes, gaps, fractures and misalignments, known as malocclusions,” says Kieran, who adds that observations should be noted and records maintained. “It may be necessary to rasp any sharp points and edges. Other issues that cannot be dealt with at the time can be booked in, while more complex problems may be referred to an equine veterinary dental specialist.”

The anatomy of the equine jaw

A horse’s routine requirements will be influenced by his lifestyle, age and dental history.

“Different feedstuffs require different amounts of chewing,” says Kieran, explaining that the anatomy of the equine jaw and the lateral chewing motion naturally create sharpened points. “In theory, a largely grass kept horse will develop sharp points at a slower rate than a horse eating a lot of concentrates. Other factors such as breed and mouth conformation do come into play, however, so more frequent examinations may be necessary.

“Horses doing a lot of collected work with more rein contact, especially in dressage, can also benefit from treatment every six months,” he adds, explaining that “mouthing” or fussiness with the bit, often caused by sharp points pressing on the tongue or inner cheeks, can lead to a deterioration in performance and loss of marks. “Other cases requiring twice-yearly examination include horses who’ve had a molar removed, to prevent overgrowth of the opposite tooth into the empty space, and older horses approaching their twenties and beyond.”

Despite the best care, problems can still arise – especially in the ageing mouth.

“From late teens, abnormal gaps called diastema can form between the horse’s teeth, resulting in painful periodontal disease,” says Kieran. “It’s important to be vigilant with a horse of any age, however, for behaviour that may signal tooth pain.

“Signs range from resisting the bit or contact to becoming unusually head shy,” he adds. “The horse may tilt his head or display abnormal jaw movement when eating, or struggle to bite harder foods, such as carrots. Look out for packing of food in the cheeks, like hamster pouches, facial swelling, bad breath, nasal discharge, usually from a single nostril, or ‘quidding’, where the horse drops unchewed food as he eats. Signs may be so subtle, however, that you don’t notice until the horse loses weight.

“Any of these issues warrants a check-up, but certain situations require emergency treatment. These include a recently fractured incisor tooth, which we can often save with a simple technique called pulp capping, or a badly swollen face that might indicate a tooth root abscess.”

Modern treatment techniques include swift and effective extraction methods, fillings and endodontics – the term for root canal work. Yet perhaps the biggest advance in equine health, believes Kieran, has been a greater understanding of what can go wrong and the ability to identify these issues during routine examination.

“Correct and regular care can prevent long-term problems or loss of teeth, potentially extending a horse’s active years and easing the ageing process,” he says. “It’s a huge advantage to pick conditions up in the early stages.”

Avoiding erosion

Thankfully, there’s no requirement for twice-daily brushing of a horse’s teeth. Where food tends to become stuck between gappy incisors, however, Kieran suggests removing it gently two or three times a week with a toothbrush or a soft pick.

“Another measure to prevent decay is to be selective with the treats,” Kieran adds. “Something natural is best. Avoid mints that are sugary or chewy, as these can stick to the teeth and potentially cause erosion.”

Who’s qualified?

How can you make sure your horse is in safe hands? Neil Townsend, an RCVS specialist in equine dentistry, answers some frequently asked questions…

Who should I entrust with caring for my horse’s teeth?

“Either a vet or a suitably qualified equine dental technician (EDT). These are the only people sufficiently trained and legally allowed to diagnose and treat equine teeth, and both groups must hold indemnity insurance and undergo regular professional development training.

“All equine vets are highly trained in dental care and are qualified to carry out any procedure in a horse’s mouth, but some have a special interest in dentistry and go on to pass EDT exams or to become advanced practitioners or specialists. Qualified EDTs have undergone training and examination to become a member of the British Association of Equine Dental Technicians (BAEDT) or the Worldwide Association of Equine Dentistry (WWAED).”

For basic work, is it worth considering an unqualified EDT – or someone sometimes incorrectly termed an equine dentist?

“By law, anyone can use a hand rasp to file sharp points in a horse’s mouth. Yet a so-called ‘equine dentist’ has had no regulated training and has no recognised qualifications, while an unqualified EDT has not met the rigorous BAEDT or WWAED standards. Neither group can use motorised equipment or diagnose or treat issues in a horse’s mouth, and in neither case can you be confident that your horse is receiving quality care with appropriate protection should anything go wrong.”

What about more complex treatment?

“Only a vet can diagnose issues, administer sedation if required, or treat problems such as fractured teeth or diastemata. A qualified EDT will be keen to work with your horse’s vet, carrying out routine examination and corrective rasping but referring any abnormalities for further veterinary evaluation and treatment.”

Ref Horse & Hound; 12 November 2020

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The teeth of a pony who had been difficult to ride had been so badly over-rasped, the nerves had been exposed.

Equine dental technician Victoria Hammond was called to see the six-year-old Connemara-type who had been recently imported from Ireland.

Victoria told H&H the mare was “an absolute darling” to deal with on the ground but ridden, she would “block” on the left rein, refusing to bend left, eventually setting her head to the right and “glazing over”.

“The owner assumed she had some sharp teeth and asked me to have a look – but the last person to do her teeth had taken off the whole of the front of her lower pre-molars, exposing the pulp. Someone’s just lopped the top of the tooth off,” she said.

Victoria said the forward and backward marks of the rasp used are visible and that although the tooth has started to repair itself by laying dentine down over the exposed nerves, the damage has been done.

“The dentine would have taken a few weeks to form, and in that time, you’ll get bacteria in the pulp – the nerves and blood supply – which starts killing the tooth. You wouldn’t be able to see the signs but the pony would feel it.”

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Victoria said it is hoped the tooth will be saved as only one or two of the six pulp “chambers” are affected, but she has been referred to specialists, to X-ray and probably perform root canal work.

She added that no one with appropriate dentistry qualifications would have done such work, urging owners to ensure they are using qualified technicians.

“Should this pony have fallen into the wrong hands or this issue not picked up, her behaviour would have worsened through no fault of her own,” she said. “I hate to think what the consequences would have been.

“Please don’t let anyone without qualifications near your horse’s mouth. There is no place for dentistry like this in today’s day and age.”

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The owner of a horse who was due to be put down owing to his “dangerous” behavioural issues, which were found to be caused by sharp teeth, has urged others to check their equine dental technicians’ (EDT) qualifications

Laura Kent from Hertfordshire booked an EDT for her 15.1hh part-bred Highland Teddy at the beginning of 2018.

“Teddy had started being quite naughty after I bought him in December 2017 so I got his back checked. I got lots of recommendations from people about an EDT they were using so I booked the person and automatically thought he was qualified. When he saw Teddy he said there were no issues with his mouth,” Laura told H&H.

“Six months down the line Teddy went lame but the vet couldn’t find anything. We decided to give him four months in the field to see if that helped but when I tried bringing him back into work he was a nightmare; he would rear vertically.”

Laura arranged for the same EDT to look at Teddy again.

“The EDT said everything was ok but Teddy had stopped eating and drinking properly and he was becoming depressed and dangerous. I was thinking the worst and thought he had mental issues but the vet still couldn’t find anything,” she said, adding that she tried “everything” to find the cause of the issues.

“We thought we weren’t going to be able to fix him. There was nothing obvious as to why he was lame and the vet said he seemed perfectly healthy. The vet didn’t look at his teeth because the dentist had said his mouth was fine.”

Teddy was booked to be put down in April 2019.

“It was heartbreaking but my mum didn’t want me riding a dangerous horse and we had tried everything for him,” said Laura.

“A week before he was due to be put to sleep another EDT was at the yard and I asked him to have a look at Teddy. The EDT said Teddy’s teeth were awful – they were so sharp they cut his hand and he found lots of mouth ulcers. When I told the EDT who I had been using, I was told he wasn’t qualified.”

Laura said the change in Teddy’s behaviour once the qualified EDT had treated him was “amazing” and when she got back on he was a different horse.

“Teddy needed two visits to fix everything and I’ll be getting six-monthly check-ups from now on. We think he was showing signs of lameness because he was trying to avoid the bit when he was being ridden and the way it was making him carry himself. He would look sound in the field when he wasn’t ridden,” she said.

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“It’s a miracle thinking at one point we thought we would have to have him destroyed.”

Laura has urged others to check EDT qualfications on the British Association of Equine Dental Technicians register online.

“I’ve spoken to other people who used the unqualified EDT and they’ve had problems too. I want people to check qualifications and don’t risk their horses’ mouths being ruined.”

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An equine dental technician (EDT) has issued a warning about the importance of checking for qualifications before having horses’ teeth done after an owner was unknowingly using an unqualified individual.

Vikki Fowler, who is also a qualified vet, attended a 15-year-old pony on 7 March who had been receiving annual treatment by an unqualified EDT.

Vikki told H&H: “The owners moved the pony to a yard where I do all the horses’ teeth and the yard owner suggested to them I looked at their pony. The owners had been using the same EDT for most of the pony’s life.

“The back teeth were overgrown by 2cm and pressing into her gums – it’s a huge overgrowth. The pony was missing its top back teeth which is why they became so overgrown. It’s probable they had never been there and she had never developed them down to a conformational fault.”

Vikki said the pony had not shown signs of “quidding” but had “runny and swollen” eyes.

“Quidding is when a horse or pony tries to chew its food; they’ll take a mouthful but they can’t chew it enough so they spit it out on the floor. Usually quidding is one of the first signs owners think of when it comes to dental pain or they will see pain through the bit if the horse is ridden, but for horses and ponies who aren’t ridden owners rely on eating. This pony was not being ridden often and doesn’t eat a lot but the owner assumed it wasn’t a great eater,” she said.

“The pony had runny eyes for many years; while I can’t say for certain, it seems highly likely that the pressure from the teeth pressing up into the orbit of the eye caused everything to become inflamed and swollen. When the area around the eye is inflamed and swollen it blocks off the tear ducts and the eye is constantly weeping, making it a prime suspect for attracting dust and flies.”

Vikki said the pony is going to require treatment at three-monthly intervals for up to five visits to get on top of the issue, after which six-monthly visits will be needed.

“The owners were devastated – nobody owns a horse and wants it to be in pain. They thought they were doing right by this pony, they didn’t realise the EDT was unqualified,” she said.

“I’ve seen three cases almost identical over the past few days, by different people performing the work.”

Vikki warned that it is not illegal to work as an EDT without relevant qualifications.

“At the moment there is no legal standing; anybody can buy equipment off the internet, call themselves an EDT and go out there and practice. More terrifying is if one of these unqualified people did something wrong and permanently injured a horse there is no comeback because there is no governing body for them – it’s horrific,” she said.

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Vikki added owners should check for one of the two Defra-recognised qualifications; the British Association of Equine Dental Technicians or the World Wide Association of Equine Dentistry. The registers of EDTs holding these qualifications can be found online.

“It is very easy to check – the registers have a full list of members, areas covered and telephone numbers,” said Vikki.

“Nobody thinks that someone practising unqualified is legal, you don’t question a human dentist’s qualifications because you automatically assume they are qualified, and people assume it’s the same in the horse world. A lot of people just don’t know that anyone can buy rasps and go out and call themselves an EDT.”

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A Shetland pony took a memorable trip to an emergency dental appointment recently to the surprise of fellow motorists.

Ruby, who has dwarfism, was chauffeured to visit a specialist in the boot of her owner’s car on Tuesday (5 December), as no more suitable transport was available.

Emily-Jane “EJ” Donaldson explained an equine dental technician had recently treated her horses’ teeth at her farm on the island of Orkney.

After checking Ruby’s teeth, the dental technician recommended EJ took her to see a specialist as she had a broken tooth that would need extracting.

“The specialist was going to come out to the farm but [we knew] she would have to be sedated,” said EJ, adding the pony is “very special” to her.

“We were concerned how the sedation would affect her due to her dwarfism. We decided it would be a lot safer for her to go into the surgery.”

EJ and her husband lifted the pony into the boot of their car, where she travelled very happily.

The pony arrived safely at the practice, where she was carefully lifted out of the car and taken into the clinic.

Once sedated by the vets, the pony became a little unsteady on her legs, so the team treating her found a tool box that was just the right size to fit underneath Ruby and give her some support.

They covered this with a towel and the specialist — who was sitting on the ground in order to reach inside the small pony’s mouth — was able to successfully extract the offending tooth.

Ruby is making a good recovery and is now “a lot happier” eating her feed.

“She was an absolute star,” said EJ, adding she was “very worried” about the extraction.

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EJ explained she bought the pony around 15 years ago as a three-year-old and she has thrived despite her condition.

“Because she was only three she was even smaller than she is now, but she was perfectly fit and healthy and I thought ‘there’s no reason she shouldn’t have a fulfilled life’,” she said.

EJ added when she became engaged to her now husband she made it clear that Ruby was part of the deal.

“He has come to love her,” she added. “She has such a lovely nature and she is really gentle.

“She’s friends with a big Irish cob and an Irish sports horse — when it rains she stands underneath the cob for shelter, he totally dotes on her.”

NB: H&H does not recommend transporting horses of any size in a vehicle that is not designed for that purpose.

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With increasing expertise focused on equine teeth, newly identified dental diseases are beginning to appear.

Equine odontoclastic tooth resorption and hypercementosis, more simply referred to as EOTRH, is probably the most important recently reported condition. The disease involves out-of-control growth of the “cementum”, or outer covering of the teeth, hence the “hypercementosis” part of the name. In addition, many horses suffer from destruction of the internal structure of the teeth (“resorption”).

EOTRH mostly affects the front teeth — the incisors and canines. It is usually found in horses above the age of 15, and some vets think it is more often seen in thoroughbreds and warmbloods.

Recent scientific publications debate whether the condition is infrequently found, or, in fact, under-diagnosed. It is important to know that it exists, because EOTRH can become a severe form of dental disease that creates irregular, misshapen front teeth with tender, receding gums.

Pain can manifest itself as a disinterest in food. Although some horses may show no obvious discomfort in the early stages of the disease, early warning signs include:

• Evidence of a sore mouth with sensitivity to a bit being fitted
• Increased salivation
• Playing with water
• Resistance to turning when exercised
• Head-shy behaviour
• Reluctance to grab feed with the affected front teeth.

Radical treatment

A careful examination is required to diagnose EOTRH, although some affected horses may resist pressure when their mouth is opened.

If you manipulate the mouth, especially the front teeth, or fit a gag (oral speculum) to look inside, it will hurt if the teeth are sore. There may be good reason why a horse does not want his mouth examined, and this needs to be checked, rather than simply assuming it is bad behaviour and reaching for a dose of sedation.

However, since it is not possible to ascertain exactly what is going on from the outside, X-rays are the only way of seeing the extent of the damage within the teeth.

EOTRH is progressive and, in time, all the front teeth will be affected. Unfortunately, there is no effective treatment other than the removal of diseased teeth — which sounds extreme, but a skilled surgeon can usually do this in the standing horse.

Horses with no incisor teeth can cope surprisingly well with appropriate dietary management post-extraction, including eating pelleted feed and hay products with reduced fibre length. Most horses can graze on longer new grass at pasture.

Nevertheless, in the absence of alternative treatment to tooth extraction, prevention of the disease is vital, and research is being carried out to identify EOTRH risk factors.

Overall, the key point is to be aware of this condition. If you are worried, ask an equine vet with an interest in dentistry to check the horse’s mouth.

Ref: Horse & Hound; 14 May 2015

Modern equine dental care has moved on from simply smoothing the rough edges towards highly sophisticated methods of prevention, diagnosis and treatment. Neil Townsend MRCVS outlines some of the latest developments

Equine dentistry is undergoing a renaissance. Central to this revival is what we’ve learnt over the past 15 years about the fundamental anatomy of horses’ teeth and the diseases they can suffer. Much of this research has been led by Professor Paddy Dixon of the University of Edinburgh.

We now have a greater understanding of the patterns of communication between the many pulps — the blood and nerve supply — of the equine tooth, thanks to recent research from German authors using micro computed tomography (CT). Complex modelling techniques have also helped determine the forces on the cheek teeth and incisors while the horse is eating.

Alongside this technical progress is the recognition of equine dentistry as a field of veterinary medicine. A vast array of quality equine dental CPD — continuing professional development — can now be accessed by vets and practising technicians known as paraprofessionals. In addition, high-level veterinary qualifications and further accredited exams for both vets and equine dental technicians (EDTs) have become available.

These developments have undoubtedly led to enhanced standards of equine dental care and consequent improvements in welfare.

Open wide

The saying “prevention is better than cure” applies as much to dentistry as to any other subject.

A thorough oral examination using a gag to open the mouth, and involving a bright light source and a dental mirror is now considered vital. This usually takes place under sedation, unless the patient is very compliant.

Oral endoscopy is now commonplace in many veterinary clinics and has the advantages of providing magnification and a means of recording the examination.

We know that subtle abnormalities that are missed or ignored can turn into long-term, chronic clinical problems which can subsequently be difficult and expensive to resolve.

An example of this is where a small amount of food material is trapped between teeth. If left untreated, this may progress to inflammation of the gums (gingivitis) and gum disease (periodontal disease).

Oral endoscopy can aid early diagnosis and appropriate treatment, but may also identify causative factors such as minor displacements of the cheek teeth, which can then be addressed at an early stage.

Historically, the treatment for fractured incisors was extraction. Many of these can now be saved using techniques used to treat disease of the tooth’s pulp (endodontic techniques) derived from human dentistry.

Following thorough clinical and radiographic examination, selected fracture cases may be suitable for restorative treatment. This might entail pulp capping, where the exposed pulp is preserved with a permanent, protective covering, or the surgical removal of a portion of the pulp (partial pulpotomy).

Dealing with decay

Restorative techniques are also now used to treat selected cases with infundibular caries — decay in the central “cup” of an upper cheek tooth.

Caries of the infundibulae of the upper cheek teeth, particularly the first molar, can lead to a midline fracture of the tooth that necessitates its removal. Often, the tooth directly opposite is also affected.

Following cleaning and sterilisation of the decay, the tooth can be restored with a resin composite to reduce its chances of fracture in the future.

Infection (pulpitis) of a cheek tooth is not uncommon in horses. Identification of the affected tooth involves a combination of clinical signs, oral examination and diagnostic imaging.

With the exception of selected cases, the treatment for an infected cheek tooth is extraction. The basic technique has remained unchanged since Victorian times, although the instruments used have become more refined.

With the appropriate use of sedatives and local nerve blocks, extraction should be the treatment of choice — provided there is enough of the erupted part of the tooth (the clinical crown) for it to be grasped with extraction forceps.

If the tooth cannot be removed in this way, alternative techniques are required. One option is lateral buccotomy, where the tooth is extracted via a surgical incision through the cheek. Another surgical technique is dental repulsion, where the tooth is pushed from its socket using a dental punch.

Both are associated with high rates of complications and have been superseded by the recently developed, minimally invasive technique known as transbuccal extraction, or MTE.

Future developments

Over the next five to 10 years, procedures may become available that will allow infected cheek teeth to be treated without being permanently removed. Orthograde endodontic therapy (similar to human root canal therapy) of infected cheek teeth is already being performed in selected cases, although the technique has not yet been critically appraised.

Where infection of the cheek teeth is apical, affecting both the root area and the surrounding tissue, it is now possible in some cases to extract and re-implant the tooth.

First, the tooth is extracted orally and a small portion of its apex is removed to allow access to the pulp canals. The pulps are then removed and the canals are sterilised and filled with dental cement.

Finally, the apex is sealed and the tooth is re-implanted into the socket and temporarily cemented to the adjacent teeth while the ligaments re-attach to the tooth socket.

Equine dentistry is continuing to evolve. With greater understanding of the intricate anatomy of the horse’s mouth and response to treatments, further treatment techniques should become more widely available.

This article was first published in Horse & Hound magazine (15 January 2015)

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Are you confused about what treatment an equine dental technician (EDT) can perform in your horse’s mouth? Owners are not alone, as a recent poll of British Equestrian Veterinary Association (BEVA) members showed that more than half were unclear on what EDTs are permitted to do.

Owners and vets who allow EDTs to perform treatments for which they are not qualified could be prosecuted.

To try and counter the problem, BEVA has published a new leaflet explaining the regulations surrounding equine dental care.

The confusion has arisen because, under the Veterinary Surgeons Act 1966, all diagnostic and treatment procedures in the horse’s mouth are acts of veterinary surgery.

However, there are a limited number of procedures that, despite being considered acts of veterinary surgery, can be carried out by suitably qualified EDTs.

In 2009, the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons listed all of these permitted procedures and divided them into three categories, but some industry professionals are still unclear.

Equine vet Vicki Nicholls, who is also a member of the British Association of Equine Dental Technicians (BAEDT), warned: “Non-adherence to the regulations is a serious matter and could lead to prosecution of the veterinary surgeon, EDT and/or owner.”

There is also concern that some owners could be using EDTs who do not have the correct qualifications.

“As an owner, if you are using an EDT you need to make sure that they are either members of the BAEDT or the World Wide Association of Equine Dentistry to ensure that they are properly qualified,” said the president of the British Veterinary Dental Association, Rob Pascoe.

However, some EDT’s are against the propositions and see it as a further attempt by the veterinary profession to control the industry.

“I am 100% against what they are trying to put through,” dental practice owner Simon Vieweg told H&H.

“Of course equine dentistry needs legalisation and regulation, but this is a another attempt by them [BEVA] to take further control.”

Ref: H&H 27 November 2014

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A new equine dentistry foundation degree course is being run at Plumpton College, East Sussex.

The four-year part-time course allows students to spend two years working in the equine industry, alongside a registered dental technician.

The course has modules in equine cranial anatomy and physiology, and students will research an area within equine dentistry for the final project.

Students will finish with the skills needed to take the professional British Association of Equine Dental Technicians (BAEDT) qualification.

Tuition fees are £3,450 per annum.

For more information visit: www.plumpton.ac.uk

New standards for equine dental technicians (EDTs) that come into force next month should help horse owners choose who to call in order to care for their horses’ teeth.

The national occupation standards are part of a move by the veterinary world to devolve some tooth care from the vet to suitably trained EDTs.

And they define the qualifications those EDTs should hold.

Currently, all dental work, except basic tooth rasping, falls under the Veterinary Surgeons Act 1966 and should only be carried out by vets.

But the reality is that EDTs undertake a large number of activities, with the agreement of the British Equine Veterinary Association (BEVA).

“There is a misconception that vets want to stop dental technicians from undertaking tooth care, but this could not be further from the truth,” said BEVA president Keith Chandler.

“We and the British Association of Equine Dental Technicians [BAEDT] have been working for a number of years with Defra to create an exemption from the Act for suitably qualified EDTs.”

Part of the process has been to draw up the standards with training organisation Lantra and create a clear list of those procedures that could be carried out by an EDT and those that should be reserved for the vet.

Mr Chandler believes that an exemption will be achieved within two years.

“It’s good news for EDTs, owners and horses,” said BAEDT chairman Gemma Lilly.

This news story was first published in the current issue of H&H (17 January 2013)

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The equine community is being called to help develop recognised standards – National Occupational Standards (NOS) – for equine dental technicians.

The sector skills council for environmental and land-based industries, Lantra, is asking for participation from all areas of the equine and veterinary sector to help improve these standards.

NOS describes what workers need to do to carry out their job competently. They also provide the foundation to build qualifications that reflect best practice.

“We are calling for all interested parties to take part in our consultation and ensure that they are driven by the welfare of horses,” said Lantra’s Lisa Jarvis.

The project will include on-line consultation to allow access to people across the UK.

President of the British Equine Veterinary Association (BEVA) Ben Mayes said he welcomed this.

“It will allow equine dental technicians to develop their status and training and ensure the boundaries agreed with the veterinary profession are respected,” he said.

If you would like to be involved in these NOS email standards.qualifications@lantra.co.uk with Equine Technicians NOS in the subject line.

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A 34-year-old equine dental technician has collapsed and died while riding from “sudden adult death syndrome”.

Richard Morling was competing with his horse Jo at a dressage competition at Field House Equestrian Centre in Marchington, Staffs, when he collapsed on Sunday.

He died an hour later in hospital.

His mother Caroline told a local newspaper that a portmortem had taken place but no cause of death could be found.

As well as his equine dentistry career, Richard was a riding instructor, evented at novice level and ran Lakeview Livery Stables in Borrowash, Derbys, with his fiancée Donna Bates.

His funeral takes place tomorrow (30 June) at St John’s Beeston Parish Church, Notts, at 1pm.

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Horse owners are being warned to keep a close eye on their horses’ teeth after research highlighted that bacteria may play a bigger role than was previously suspected in equine dental disease.

Alistair Cox from Edinburgh’s Royal (Dick) Vet school found that 60% of horses over the age of 15 have “periodontal” disease (infection of the structures that hold the tooth in place).

Although bacteria are known to be a cause of periodontal disease in humans, cats and dogs, their significance in horses had been less clear. Mechanical factors, such as food being packed between the horse’s teeth had been considered the primary cause of decay.

During his two years of research, Mr Cox examined the skulls of 22 horses. Although none of them had received treatment for periodontal disease, 16 had some form of it.

“The pain affects the animal’s ability to eat and its performance,” he said.

“This research highlights how common periodontal disease is. Yet many [horses] don’t receive treatment so are likely to be suffering in silence.

“As the horse gets older, its worth checking their teeth every six months,” he advised.

Rob Pascoe, an equine vet and equine dental technician, welcomed the research.

“More work is needed to show how much of an issue bacteria are in gum disease in horses,” he said.

The Horse Trust, which funded the research, has 95 horses — mostly geriatric — and has an arrangement with Bristol University, where vet students check the Trust’s horses’ teeth for free.

“We keep a close eye on weight changes and eating habits,” said Susan Lewis of the Trust. “Dentistry is not something people should cut back on.”

This news story was first published in the current issue of Horse & Hound (14 April, 2011)

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Regulation of barefoot trimmers and equine dental technicians is a step closer, following work this year by Defra, Lantra and the British Equine Veterinary Association (BEVA).

Lantra, the government’s learning and skills agency, is to help create recognised training standards following a nationwide survey asking 100 barefoot trimmers and 200 dental technicians about their qualifications (news, 31 January 2008).

Although practitioners are overseen by organisations like the Equine Podiatry Association (EPA) and the British Association of Equine Dental Technicians (BAEDT) it is currently legal to practise as a “paraprofessional” without formal qualifications.

“This report is key in helping to develop national occupational standards for the training, skill development and qualifications required by paraprofessionals,” said Lantra’s Lisa Jarvis. “The standards will ensure that people are suitably experienced and competent.”

David McDowell, RSPCA representative for the National Equine Welfare Council, added: “The position needs formalising so that if barefoot trimmers or dental technicians behave badly they can be struck off. Some provide a useful service while others do things contrary to

the rest of the horseworld.

We need a protocol to remove the scope for malpractice.”

The EPA has been working with Lantra to ensure all foot trimmers attain certain standards for horse welfare.

EPA secretary Justine Jenkins told H&H: “Some foot-trimmers have no formal training and are often not sufficiently competent.” But she cautioned against unnecessary legislation.

Although barefoot trimming falls outside the Farriers (Registration) Act 1975, Felicity Heather, registrar of the Farriers’ Registration Council (FRC), told H&H the council would welcome a move towards formal training.

Farriers must complete a four-year apprenticeship and pass an exam.

The development of national occupational standards for barefoot trimmers should

be completed by the EPA by the end of 2009, while a time frame for dental technicians is still unknown.

But the BAEDT is working with Lantra, BEVA and Defra to regulate dentistry and is creating a list for owners to verify whether their dental technician is registered and qualified.

Visit www.baedt.com.

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Lantra, the government’s learning and skills body, has issued a report calling for recognised training standards in equine barefoot trimmers and dental technicians after a survey revealed significant variation within the professions.

Although there are currently organisations, such as the Equine Podiatry Association and the British Association of Equine Dental Technicians, that provide courses, diplomas and register members, it is legal to practice as a “paraprofessional” without formal qualifications.

Lantra’s industry partnership manager Lisa Jarvis says the body will work in partnership with professional organisations and Defra to develop industry-wide occupational standards for these paraprofessionals’ training, skills and qualifications.

“This will ensure that people undertaking the work are suitably experienced and competent,” she said.

David McDowell, RSPCA representative for the National Equine Welfare Council, agrees that both paraprofessions need a protocol.

“There should be a formal legislation so that only qualified dental technicians and barefoot trimmers can work, and if they behave badly they can be struck off,” he said. “For horses, owners and other professionals, we need a protocol to remove the scope for malpractice.”

Although barefoot trimming falls outside the Farriers (Registration) Act 1975, Felicity Heather, registrar at the Farriers’ Registration Council, would welcome the move.

Apprentice farriers have to complete over four years of apprenticeship and pass an exam.

“The council would like to see all those involved in equine hoofcare trained to a competent standard and regulated as vets and farriers are,” she said.”

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A group of 25 equine dental technicians (EDTs) sat the first official exam in equine dentistry at the University of Edinburgh recently.

The candidates, who had already attended the British Equine Veterinary Association’s (BEVA) advanced dentistry course, were assessed by two external examiners from the US, as well as a number of internal BEVA representatives and a member of the British Veterinary Dental Association (BVDA).

The exam included questions on general equine nutrition, physiology, infection, disinfection, legislation and health and safety matters, as well as dental anatomy, pathology, dental instrumentation and treatments. Each EDT was asked to draw dental charts from horse skulls and had their knowledge of dental abnormalities tested.

Candidates’ practical rasping skills were also put under the microscope as one internal and two external examiners watched each candidate in action with a real case.

Tim Greet from BEVA said: “The new exam will produce certified equine dental technicians who both the veterinary profession and horse owners can be confident in using.”

The successful candidates, who are eligible to become members of the new governing body for EDTs when it is launched, are:

• Joan Johnston from Northants
• Tom Phillips from Lincs
• Martin Walls from Hants
• Richard Halls from Beds
• Chris Keate from E. Sussex
• Doug Vieweg from E. Sussex
• Mark Slingsby from Oxon
• Rupert Smith from Northants
• Martin Danzebrink from Herts
• David Regan from Oxon
• Mark Thorne from Cumbria
• Greg Wood from Hants
• Robert Ruddy from North Yorks
• Tony Rose from Dorset
• John Edmounds from Wilts
• John Cranage from N Yorks
• Stuart Garrard from Suffolk
• Michael Field from Oxon
• Lucy Smith from Berks
• Shane Kitching from Warks
• Beverley Rippon from Norfolk
• Colin Hill from EssexVisit www.baedt.co.uk for more information on equine dentistry and contact details for EDTs in your area.