Wolf teeth are small teeth that erupt just in front of the larger cheek teeth in young horses, typically around 6 months old. Horses can have up to four wolf teeth, but anywhere from none to two is more typical. Wolf teeth are so small that they can even fall out before they cause a problem. In horses that do have them, it is recommended to remove them before beginning training with a bit. Because the wolf teeth are so small and have such shallow roots, bit pressure on these teeth can be uncomfortable or painful and result in training difficulties. 

Sometimes wolf teeth are present, but they do not erupt through the gums. These are called impacted wolf teeth. They can also be painful to bit contact and cause training issues if not removed before attempting to bit.

EOTRH stands for Equine Odontoclastic Tooth Resorption and Hypercementosis. It is a long name for a disease that damages the incisors (front teeth) and sometimes the canines in older horses. In very rare cases it can also affect cheek teeth. EOTRH is more common in geldings. The cause of EOTRH is still a subject for intensive research and we do not currently know why some horses get this disease. 

Clinically, EOTRH is progressive, meaning it gets worse over time. There are two disease processes happening at the same time. The first process, resorption, causes the tooth roots to demineralize. This opens up holes in the tooth roots and allows bacteria to move in. This process is painful as it causes abscessed teeth. The second process is hypercementosis. This is a thickening of the tooth roots where the body lays down extra mineral, but unfortunately the mineral does not get laid down where the resorption destroyed it. This results in tooth roots that are bulging, but full of holes. Some horses suffering from EOTRH are more resorptive and these tend to be more painful. Others are more hypercementotic, and they tend to be less uncomfortable, at least initially.

Because we do not understand what causes EOTRH, we do not have a way to arrest the development of the disease. All we can do is make horses more comfortable. We do this by removing the affected teeth. Often, by the time the disease is diagnosed, horses are well-advanced in the disease and all their front teeth need to be removed. This can seem drastic, but after the procedure, affected horses are much happier, eat better, hold weight better, and are more enthusiastic to be ridden. They will continue to graze despite the lack of front teeth- they use their lips and their gums.

If Dr. Lin suspects your horse has EOTRH, she will take x-rays to look at the roots of the incisors and canines to confirm or dispel the diagnosis. If EOTRH is confirmed, she will discuss which teeth are affected and give you options for proceeding. She may recommend removing all incisors, some, or none at that time. Not all horses are candidates for full incisor extractions on the farm, but many are. If yours is not, she will recommend clinics with veterinarians who can do the procedure.

If you are concerned that your horse may have EOTRH, please reach out to our office by email or phone and Dr. Lin can help guide you through this challenging diagnosis and treatment.

Not all bits work for all horses in all disciplines. Dr. Lin is not a trainer, but she can help you determine if the bit you are using is a comfortable fit for your horse. If the bit is causing pain or tissue damage that could interfere with training and riding, Dr. Lin can work with you and your trainer to make adjustments.

Although cancer is uncommon in horses, it can happen, including in the mouth. Dr. Lin will always perform a thorough oral exam and should anything suspicious be identified, she can take a biopsy. The most common oral tumor in horses is actually warts, so usually these are benign. Should the biopsy results be more serious, she can help you come up with an appropriate treatment plan to help you and your horse navigate this difficult diagnosis.