Q&A

Q: What are the signs that I need to call a dentist for my pony?

A: Ideally, your pony’s teeth should be checked by a professional dentist at least once a year and, better yet, every six months. In between these appointments, the following signs suggest that you should call the dentist earlier than your next scheduled appointment:

• Quidding: Quidding is when your pony spits out balls of hay he has already chewed. A pony that quids is not swallowing his food properly. This can cause the pony to lose condition as his nutritional needs are not being met.

• Weight loss: If your pony is struggling to chew, he cannot get all of the nutrients he needs from his fibrous foods like grass and hay. This can make him lose weight and also makes him prone to choke and impaction colic.

• Slow eating: If your pony has broken teeth, infected gums, sore cheeks or any other pain in the mouth caused by dental problems, he may chew his food very slowly.

• Spilling food: A pony that newly starts to spill his food on the ground may be having difficulty holding it in his mouth.

• Bad smell: If a bad smell comes from your pony’s mouth or nose, he might have an infection in the mouth.

• Drooling: Drooling can be a sign of many problems, including problems with the teeth.

• Sinus discharge: A small trickle of clear fluid is normal from your pony’s nose, but a running nose with thicker liquid can be a sign of a sinus or dental infection.

• Dehydration: Ponies with bad teeth may avoid drinking cold water as it creates pain. This lack of water can lead to choke and impaction colic.

• Head tossing: There are many reasons why your pony may toss their head, but one of them is tooth pain.

• Head shyness: If your pony is head shy and does not want you to touch or groom his face, then it could be that he has a painful tooth.

• Playing with his bit: A pony that fusses with the bit may be reacting to pain caused by the bit itself, but in some cases, the problem is actually a tooth problem that makes holding onto the bit sore.

• Spooking: Tooth pain can cause ponies to become spooky and bolt.