Signs of Dental Disease
Diseases of the teeth may present as an obvious dental or as a general problem and include:
- Abnormal eating behaviour (head tilting, dropping of food, excessive salivation)
- A bad odour from the mouth
- Refusal to eat, eating more slowly or refusal of some types of food
- Long hay stalks being passed in the dung
- Loss of weight or condition
- Swellings under the jaw or on the side of the face
- Discharge from the nostril (often on one side only) or jaw
- Resistance to be being bridled
- Head tilt when being ridden or lunged
- Difficulty in maintaining an outline or remaining on the bit
- Head shaking
- "Bridle lameness"
- Slowness in making transitions
- Chewing of the bit etc.
