Effect of dental correction on feed digestibility in horses.
Authors: Ralston S L, Foster D L, Divers T, Hintz H F
Journal: Equine veterinary journal
Summary
# Editorial Summary: Dental Correction and Feed Digestibility in Horses Ralston and colleagues investigated whether routine dental correction—specifically the removal of sharp enamel points and hooks from molars and premolars—genuinely improves feed digestibility in horses, and whether performance floating (aesthetic smoothing of the occlusal surfaces) might prove detrimental. Eight mature horses that had received no dental work for over a year underwent five-day digestion trials before dental correction, then again at two and four weeks post-treatment, with results compared against uncorrected control animals on identical rations. Contrary to expectations, the researchers found no significant improvements in apparent digestibility of dry matter, crude protein, neutral detergent fibre or acid detergent fibre following routine correction of minor sharp points and hooks, nor did cosmetic floating negatively impact digestion during the two to four-week observation window. However, flattened occlusal angles greater than 80 degrees from vertical on premolar 307 were associated with reduced digestibility of both crude protein and fibre, suggesting that the geometry of molar contact surfaces—rather than simply the presence of sharp points—may be the critical factor influencing nutrient assimilation. This work supports continuing regular dental maintenance as good practice, whilst indicating that minor corrections alone will not enhance digestion in horses without significant occlusal abnormalities, and cautions that severe changes to molar contact angles warrant closer investigation regarding their functional consequences.
Read the full abstract on PubMed
Practical Takeaways
- •Do not expect significant improvements in feed digestion or performance from routine floating of minor sharp points and hooks alone; focus dental correction efforts on identifying and managing abnormal occlusal angles
- •Flattened molar occlusal surfaces (>80° from vertical) may warrant more aggressive corrective intervention as they are associated with reduced protein and fibre digestion
- •Continue regular dental maintenance as routine practice, but manage client expectations that minor floating will not necessarily improve digestibility within 2-4 weeks
Key Findings
- •Routine removal of sharp hooks and points from molars and premolars did not significantly improve digestibility of dry matter, crude protein, or fibre in horses with minor dental abnormalities
- •Performance floating (rounding and smoothing of dental arcades) did not adversely affect digestion 2-4 weeks after the procedure
- •Occlusal angle of premolar 307 greater than 80° relative to vertical (flattened) was associated with reduced apparent digestibility of crude protein and fibre
- •Regular dental correction should continue as routine practice, but minor points and hooks alone do not significantly improve digestibility