A horse’s teeth and jaw are always changing, especially in the early years. “A foal is born with 12 molars – the teeth at the back of his mouth – and within a week or so, the incisors, or nippers, erupt at the front. A foal’s skull is not long enough for a full set of teeth at birth, but by nine months they are all there,” says MacKinnon.

Around the foal’s first birthday, the first permanent molars erupt, and at about 30 months the baby teeth start to fall out. They are all gone by four and a half years, and all the permanent teeth are in place by age five. The full complement includes 24 molars, plus up to four “wolf teeth” (smaller, often sharp teeth which erupt in both sexes in front of the molars) and 12 incisors. Most male horses also have four canines, or what MacKinnon calls the “fighting teeth,” which are seen in about one per cent of mares as well.

Early checkups

Your veterinarian will likely examine a new foal’s mouth during the first physical exam shortly after birth to determine if the foal has a normal “bite.” Abnormalities such as an overbite (parrot mouth) or an underbite will need special attention as the foal grows.

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