Horse_Illustrated_-_October_2019

[ october 2019 | horseillustrated.com 49 ]

sionally, older equines may need an infected
tooth pulled or, although rare, a root canal,
depending on the degree of diseased tissue.

PROBlems tO lOOK FOR
One of the classic and most common signs of
poor dentition in older horses is “quidding.”
This is a term used when clumps of partly
chewed food drop from a horse’s mouth while
he’s eating.
Quidding occurs because of mouth pain; as the
horse tries to avoid an ulcerated lesion, half-
chewed food inevitably drops out. Sometimes

you may also see a horse drool or play with

his food or water instead of gobbling it down,

although these can be signs of other problems as

well, such as abdominal pain or choke.

Ineffi cient eating will eventually catch up with

a horse in the form of weight loss, especially

in a senior that may have other health issues.

Compounded with metabolism changes and loss

of muscle tone, bad teeth most commonly cause

that stereotypical image of a thin senior horse.

Bad breath, called halitosis, can also be a

sign of dental issues in a horse. One relatively

new dental disease identifi ed in older horses

to-chew senior feed can help
counteract the effects of reduced
saliva production.
Look for a feed with
high-quality fi ber sources such
as beet pulp and premium hay
to help senior horses maintain
body condition and normal
digestive function.
■ FEED MANUFACTURING:
Feed manufacturing is also
important to consider when
choosing a senior feed. Look for
a pellet that’s tested to be easy

for horses to chew and digest,

plus easy to soak.

Horses with severe dental

issues or missing teeth can

benefi t from a mash made with

a soaked senior feed and warm

water. A mash can help horses

chew and swallow while still

providing all the necessary fi ber,

nutrients and calories needed to

maintain weight and stay healthy.

— Kelly Vineyard, M.S.,

Ph.D., Senior Equine Nutrition-

ist, Purina Animal Nutrition

senior feeds are specially designed with the needs of

older horses in mind.

With age,

wear and

tear on the

teeth can

make eating

diffi cult or

ineffi cient.