Off bite

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auledasacres

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We looked at a little filly today we are interested in purchasing. She is a very slight over bite. She was just weaned. Would this stop you from purchasing a mini. We were hoping to show her and then later down the road breed her.

What do you all think?

Traci
 
At her age, so long as parents bites were good, I wouldn't be concerned.......you say "slight", I'm thinking 1/2-3/4 tooth thickness.

Often these babies are off one month and on the next. It depends on how their growth plates are progressing. Also, check their jaw teeth for alignment.
 
if i was buying a filly to show and or breed i would not take a chance on buying one that was already off. It may go back on or it may not
 
I feel the same way Bess does. I've always been told that foals go one again, off again in several areas as they grow. If it is not too off it is probably worth a try. A friend of mine actually had one that got as much as a quarter of an inch off
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and it fixed itself. I don't know if this is normal or just an extreme situation where she got lucky. Check the parents and good luck! Linda
 
Bess is correct--I have had weanlings off and on their bite from one week to the next, also. Usually it is no more than 1/8" or so, not a really large amount. If both parents have correct teeth it would not hinder my purchase. I WOULD keep a close eye on them, though, and check with a dental specialist or a vet (one good with teeth) if they did not move back.

jennifer
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I would investigate the parentage. Many kids go off then go right back on. If they take this into consideration when pricing I would risk it depending what your plans for her would be. I sold one 3 yrs ago that was slightly off and is now perfect.
 
Here is what I would do:

First off, ask if the sellers would be willing to write into a contract that they will refund the purchase price or give full farm credit if she does mature into a problematic horse (as far as bite or going over height, or even fertility, depending on what you are paying).

If not, I would move on.

If so, I would look closely at both sire and dam, and any siblings or other related horses and see what their mouths look like. If all is in order there, then move ahead w/purchase as long as that overbite was not more than 1/4 tooth off at this point.

If you show her in halter, the overbite, if it does not correct itself, will put her out of the ribbons, and in breeding, myself, I would avoid the horse altogether, be it mare or stallion.

Liz M.
 
If bought for show & breeding you are taking a chance........... I had a weanling filly sold last year for $2500 until we checked her bite. Had not checked her teeth until we were showing her to the person asking, as we had never bred one with an off bite before then...... Sold her later for $700 pet quality. Owners said they think the teeth are straightening up but not sure. By the way this was from same bloodlines, mares, sire that we had been crossing for years. Pointing out that perfect teeth in a bloodline does not insure future perfect teeth..................... We also bought a very expensive colt from a well known bloodline who had a good bite but his went off starting early two year old even with frequent dental care & still has not straightened up at age five......... We also bought a filly that had a good bite then went off then straightened up when she matured
 

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