Horse owners put so much time into feeding programs, training plans, and routine care—but one area that often stays a mystery is dental health. Yet your horse’s teeth affect everything: how they eat, how they carry the bit, how they gain (or lose) weight, and even how they feel about training.
Because horses evolved to graze 16–18 hours a day, their teeth are designed very differently from ours. They erupt continuously, wear down gradually, and carry subtle clues about a horse’s age, diet, and overall well-being. Learning the basics isn’t just “nice to know”—it empowers you to make better decisions for your horse’s long-term comfort.
This guide breaks down the fundamentals of equine teeth, from anatomy to aging, using the diagrams and notes from my Horse Teeth Study Guide (linked below for those who want the full printable resource).
Why Horse Teeth Are So Unique
Horses have hypsodont teeth—meaning they are long and continue to erupt throughout most of the horse’s life. This constant replacement is nature’s answer to all the wear that comes from chewing fibrous forage.
A few key things every owner should know:
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Adult horses have between 36–44 teeth.
Mares typically have fewer teeth than males, who often have canines and sometimes wolf teeth. -
Horses wear down 2–3 mm of tooth per year.
Over time, uneven wear can lead to sharp points, hooks, and difficulty chewing. -
Most of the tooth lies below the gumline.
The crown we see is only a fraction of its true size. -
Wolf teeth and canine teeth are normal.
Wolf teeth (often small and vestigial) may interfere with the bit.
Canine teeth are primarily found in male horses and usually erupt around 4–5 years of age.
How to Estimate a Horse’s Age by Its Teeth
While no method is perfect, the mouth offers several helpful indicators—especially in younger horses.
1. Cups, Stars, and Shape Changes
As horses age:
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Young horses have incisors with rectangular tables and visible “cups.”
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Around 10 years, the cups disappear, leaving an enamel ring and dental star.
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By 15–20 years, the incisors shift to triangular or even biangular shapes as wear progresses.
These changes offer rough but reliable clues.
2. The Galvayne’s Groove
This famous groove appears on the upper corner incisor:
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Appears around age 10
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Halfway down by age 15
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Reaches the bottom at age 20
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Begins disappearing after that
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Usually gone by age 30
It’s not perfect—but it’s one of best-known markers.
3. Hooks at 7 and 11 Years
A noticeable “hook” may appear on the upper corner tooth:
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First around age 7
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Often reappears around 11–13 years
These hooks form because the upper and lower arcade don’t wear evenly.
4. Angle of the Teeth
Young horses have a more upright bite, while older horses develop a sharper angle as the incisors wear.
These small shifts become easier to spot with practice and make age estimation more reliable when combined with other markers.
Tooth Development: From Foal to Adult
Foals are born with some teeth already forming and quickly erupting:
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Milk teeth (deciduous incisors and premolars) arrive between birth and 9 months.
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Permanent teeth begin replacing them starting at 2.5 years.
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By age 5, a horse typically has its full set of permanent teeth.
This is a major reason why dental checks for young horses are just as important as for seniors—they are actively changing and may need corrective care.
The Importance of Regular Dental Exams
Routine dental exams should happen at least once a year, and sometimes more often for:
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Senior horses
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Horses in heavy work
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Horses with difficulty chewing or dropping feed
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Horses with behavioral changes related to the bit
Floating—the process of filing sharp points—helps ensure your horse can chew comfortably and accept the bit without pain.
Ignoring dental care can lead to:
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Weight loss
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Colic
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Head tossing
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Resistance under saddle
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Uneven musculature from chewing on only one side
A small amount of preventative care can prevent long-term issues.
Want the Full Study Guide?
If you found this information helpful and want a clear, printable set of diagrams, age charts, and worksheets for students or clients, you can grab the full Horse Teeth Study Guide here: