How often does a horse need a dental examination?
Following a horse’s first thorough examination and correction, the majority will require annual follow-ups to maintain his/her mouth in optimum functioning order. A few will require more frequent attention, rarely more than every six months. A horse requiring major initial corrections may be best served if the work is broken into two or three sessions a few months apart. Some performance horses will appreciate touch-ups every 6-9 months to keep them comfortable. Horses under the age of 5 benefit from examination every 6-9 months. A note on follow-ups: Once a horse has had his/her initial examination and correction, the annual follow-ups are a much less dramatic affair. They require less time, less sedation and the cost is correspondingly lower.
