My horse is experiencing tooth wear.Updated a year ago
If your horse is experiencing tooth wear, we want to first rule out a size or fit issue that may be contributing to the problem. For example, if the muzzle is either too close or at the wrong angle to their teeth, that may be a culprit. Our team is here to help! Please send us a photo of your horse's halter/muzzle combination, taken directly from the side with their head up–ideally taken at the muzzle level. We will double-check how everything fits and offer suggestions as needed. We may also recommend adding a leather insert as this has been the thing we found to be the most protective of the horse's teeth. Here is a comprehensive video on tooth wear and its various causes: Horses, Grazing Muzzles, and Tooth Care
Once we’ve ruled out a fit issue, we find that tooth wear typically occurs due to a few common causes:
Grit trapped in the muzzle
Aggressive grazing on sparse grass or grass that is too short (<2”)
Weak tooth enamel
Our go-to recommendation for tooth wear problems is our Leather Insert. Our leather muzzle inserts were explicitly designed to prevent and stop the progression of tooth wear. The genuine leather combines with your horse’s saliva to create a smooth, slippery surface that forms a nice layer of added protection for their teeth. This insert does restrict intake about 30% more than the Standard Insert or the muzzle on its own, so that is something to keep in mind. With any of our inserts, you will want to keep an eye on your horse to monitor their intake and ensure they are still getting enough food.
Trot on over to our Insert Comparison Chart to help you make the best decision for your horse. As always, our team is here to help if you have any questions!
Have an older style muzzle without the slots for the insert tabs? No problem! Our leather and standard inserts can be modified to fit your muzzle.
Modifying the leather insert
Modifying the standard insert