Under bite?

[VernB]

I have 2 mares age 3 and 5 both of them were born with perfectly strait bites. When they reached age 2 or 3 their bites went under. The 5 yo. mare had a 1/2" under bite and now has about a 1/4" off. The other mare only went about a 1/4" off. Should these mares be bred? I have gotten 2 foals out of the 5 yo. and neither of their bites have gone off yet. I would never breed a mini that was born with an underbite, but what about those that go off. I have gotten the 5yo, mare's teeth floated and am getting the other mares teeth done too. Is it possible that they would go back on?

 

[HGFarm]

It sounds like your mares developed hooks and ridges that made the bites go off as their teeth wore over the years. I had a mare do the same when I first got into minis. She was born on, but went off around 2. She had never had any dental work done by the previous owner. (We have Carl come out every year to check them all- they dont always need work but we have the whole bunch checked) With yearly checkups, and floating etc.. when she needed it, her bite came back on by itself, as everything then was in it's proper place.

It appears to me that the Minis teeth are 'softer' or something than their full sized cousins, and develope hooks and all easier than the big ones do. Then they start getting ridges, and the problem just keeps compounding itself into worse and worse problems.

Make sure when they are floated, that any ridges that have developed on the front teeth due to the now off bite, is levelled out, so their bite is flush like it should be. If you have ANY chance at having a regular equine dentist look at them, I would do so. Vets are not dental specialists and there are a couple of dentists that pretty much have done nothing but Minis for years and years and are very good at what they do. Many vets here will not even do the teeth any more, but will refer you to a dental specialist.

Just edited to say that I think that dental work is the most ignored health issue of horses. If they look fine in the front, folks assume that the teeth are fine, not knowing what a horrible mess the back might be. I have seen some who had such points on their teeth that the inside of their mouth looked like hamburger!

 

[nootka]

With these, I would want the opinion of a well-trained and informed equine dentist.

Can you look at their parents?

If it's a problem of management, then don't hesitate to breed if all else is fine.

If it's a genetic issue/conformational defect, I'd avoid it.

If you do breed, even if it's a management issue, I'd put a lot of research into the stallion's bite (as in is it naturally good/even, and are his parents good).

There's a huge variety of opinions in this dept., but myself I have a low tolerance for off bites, and my horses that I breed have good teeth and nice, even distribution with expected wear patterns (as affirmed by my vet and equine dentist).

I only breed a few each year and I don't have room to play with defects I consider serious such as leg deformities and bite, etc. so it's just one of those important ones to me as I believe it is to most.

Your dentist can help you make a decision, though I'd also do my best to get a look in the parents' mouths and see if you can get their owners (ifyou don't own them) to be honest about how they manage their teeth (as in is one or the other or both problematic for any reason).

Liz M.

 

[VernB]

Thanks that helps alot. my 3 yo. mare's parents have perfect bites. My 5yo. mare's Dam does but I have never seen her sire.