Global Endurance Training Center

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?

 

                                              Hooves                                                                      Teeth

 

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

 

Functional

comparison:                    toes                                                                              incisors

                                              quarters and heels                                                 molars

                                              frog                                                                              tongue

                                              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.

 

Christoph Schork

www.globalendurance.com

 

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