Behavioral Signs Associated With Equine Cheek Tooth Findings.
Authors: Laukkanen Tuuli, Karma Leena, Virtala Anna-Maija, Mykkänen Anna, Pehkonen Jaana, Rossi Heini, Tuomola Kati, Raekallio Marja
Journal: Journal of equine veterinary science
Summary
# Behavioral Signs Associated With Equine Cheek Tooth Findings Dental disease in horses frequently goes unrecognised because owners struggle to link pain-related behavioural changes to oral pathology, yet understanding which specific tooth lesions cause clinical signs could substantially improve diagnostic accuracy and welfare outcomes. Researchers examined 183 adult horses using detailed intraoral assessment and owner questionnaires covering 35 parameters of eating, bitting, and general behaviour, then used logistic regression to correlate particular cheek tooth findings with the presence of five or more behavioural indicators. Three lesion types emerged as statistically significant predictors of heightened pain-related behaviour: broadened or darkened fissures (odds ratio 2.4), complicated fractures (odds ratio 2.3), and secondary dentine defects of grade 2 or higher (odds ratio 3.1), with affected horses demonstrating substantially more signs across feeding, ridden work, and temperament categories than their unaffected counterparts. Whilst owners often attribute diverse problems—such as selective feed refusal, head-tossing, or behavioural resistance to the bit—to management or training issues rather than oral pain, this evidence suggests that identifying these particular lesion types should prompt clinical consideration of intervention. For farriers, physiotherapists and coaches working alongside veterinarians, recognising the cluster of behavioural indicators associated with these specific dental findings provides a practical framework for identifying which horses warrant urgent veterinary referral.
Read the full abstract on PubMed
Practical Takeaways
- •When horses show multiple behavioral signs related to eating (quidding, dropping feed), bit acceptance problems, or general behavioral changes, suspect cheek tooth pathology and refer for dental examination
- •Specific findings—darkened fissures, complicated fractures, and moderate-to-advanced secondary dentine defects—warrant intervention even in horses with subtle behavioral changes
- •Owner education on recognizing dental pain behavioral signs is critical, as many dental diseases go undiagnosed due to inadequate owner recognition and reporting
Key Findings
- •Broadened or darkened fissures, complicated fractures, and secondary dentine defects of at least second degree were associated with at least five behavioral signs (OR 2.3–3.1)
- •Horses with potentially painful cheek tooth findings expressed more signs related to eating behavior, bit behavior, and general behavior than horses without these findings
- •Many equine dental diseases remain underdiagnosed due to difficulties in recognizing pain-related behavioral signs