What color should a horse’s teeth be?

Your horse's teeth may look brown and dingy but that doesn't necessarily mean there's a problem.

Being accustomed to seeing your own pearly whites in the mirror, you may be a bit taken aback when you notice that your horse’s teeth are distinctly brown. But don’t worry; this hue simply reflects his natural dental anatomy.

Equine teeth are covered in cementum rather than enamel, the substance that makes human teeth white.
A horse’s tooth color may be quite different than your own, but it doesn’t necessarily mean there’s a problem. (Adobe Stock)

Equine teeth are covered in cementum rather than enamel, the substance that makes human teeth white. Cementum is somewhat porous so it absorbs pigments from whatever a horse eats. Early in a horse’s life, his teeth change from white to yellowish. By middle age, they are usually brown and will continue to darken with time.

You need not worry about the color of your horse’s teeth as long as it’s consistent across the arcade. However, a tooth that is obviously darker than the rest may be damaged or infected and you’ll want to call to your veterinarian. According to the American Association of Equine Practitioners (AAEP), here are other indicators of dental problems in horses:

1. Loss of feed from mouth while eating, difficulty with chewing, or excessive salivation.

2. Loss of body condition.

3. Large or undigested feed particles (long stems or whole grain) in manure.

4. Head tilting or tossing, bit chewing, tongue lolling, fighting the bit, or resisting bridling.

5. Poor performance, such as lugging on the bridle, failing to turn or stop, even bucking.

6. Foul odor from mouth or nostrils, or traces of blood from the mouth.

7. Nasal discharge or swelling of the face, jaw or mouth tissues.

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