Colic may be a pain in the belly area, but your horse's teeth can contribute to this condition.
Your horse's teeth continue to erupt throughout her life and she wears them down by grinding her food. Wild horses graze continuously on rough grasses so their teeth are well worn but the diet of domestic horses is less wearing. Her teeth may develop sharp edges or points that hinder normal chewing and grinding.
It's important to her digestion that her food be ground into very small particles. Painful points may cause your horse to swallow large food particles. These bigger particles irritate and block the intestine and may cause an impaction colic.
The earlier you catch equine dental problems, the better, so it's important to schedule routine dentistry procedures. The American Association of Equine Practioners recommends dental exams one to two times per year to ensure that your horse's teeth are in good condition.
Signs can be obvious (pain, mouth irritation) or subtle (dropping food, undigested food particles in manure, tongue lolling, excess salivation, bucking, failing to stop or turn, bad breath or facial swelling). Some horses might show no signs because they simply adapt to their discomfort!
Equine dental technicians can be certified through a number of different organizations such as the American Veterinary Dental Society or the International Association of Equine Dentists.
Have your veterinarian or equine dentist thoroughly examine and float your horse’s teeth at least once a year. Routine preventive equine dentistry can avoid more serious and painful problems in the future.