What do they have in common?
At first sight, teeth and hooves of horses seem to be as unrelated as it gets. Comparing them anatomically, could it be that there are, however, common elements?
Growth period lifelong lifelong
Speed: 5 – 8 mm a month 2 -3 mm a year
Trimming: 2 – 8 weeks 6 – 12 month
Material: hard outside/soft inside hard outside, soft inside
Hoof wall/sole Enamel/dentin
Growth: from the inside outwards/ from the inside outwards/
out of integument and corium out of the pulp
comparison: toes incisors
quarters and heels molars
sole lower jaw
Neglected molars (compare to high heels and lateral flares in hooves)
It is getting interesting, when comparing teeth pathology with hoof pathology.
On this 16 year old gelding, we are observing a left descending 'smile' and misalignment with upper and lower jaw.
Photo below shows the effects on the posture of this horse:
the head is carried higher on the left side, left shoulder is elevated, slight flex to the right, front left leg turned out.
Right front is bearing weight on the M/L plane evenly, while the left hoof is loaded on the medial heel, resulting in possibly crushed heels and a lateral flare.
Even small changes in the angles and occlusions of the teeth influencing the jaw, the whole skeleton, tendons, ligaments and muscles of the horse.
Hoof care might as well start with proper teeth care. So many anatomical parts of the horse are interrelated and when we are solely looking at the hooves, we might just manage the same problem everytime without ever getting to the cause and root of the problem.
Regular dental check ups are vital not only for the horses health and digestion, but also for the soundness and proper hoof balance and growth.
This coming year, Global Endurance Training Center will be conducting more studies and comparing teeth pathologies with hoof pathologies and development. We are also very curious if we can find any connection between teeth abnormalities and club feet, teeth and scelletal and muscle changes. We will keep you posted on our findings.
The Staff at GETC wishes all our readers a Merry Christmas and successful New Year filled with fun and happiness with all your horses and other animals.
Christoph Schork and Dian Woodward