We provide routine floating in adult horses, where all teeth have fully erupted, several common dental issues can arise that require attention. Horses naturally chew their food in an elliptical motion, with the grinding phase occurring during the sideways movement of their jaws. In the wild, as they chew on forage, this lateral movement is extensive, covering the entire grinding surface of the teeth, including the edges. However, in domesticated horses, this lateral motion can be reduced, meaning the horse doesn’t always grind right to the edges of its teeth.

As a result, the central surfaces of the teeth wear down more quickly than the edges, causing the edges to become long and sharp. Due to the natural angulation of the teeth, the outside edge of the upper teeth and the inside edge of the lower teeth tend to develop these sharp points. These sharp edges are often the first issue that a dental practitioner will address through a process known as ‘floating.’ Floating involves the use of rasps to smooth out any abnormally sharp areas on the cheek teeth. To effectively reach and treat all the different teeth in the horse’s mouth, a variety of rasps with different angles, shapes, and lengths are used. Each practitioner typically has their own set of preferred instruments and a personalized floating routine.

In the majority of cases, the removal of sharp enamel edges and points is sufficient during a routine dental check-up. However, there are instances where more specific overgrowths of certain teeth need to be addressed. One of the most common overgrowth issues is the formation of ‘hooks,’ which typically occur on the first upper and last lower cheek teeth. These hooks can cause discomfort and interfere with the horse’s ability to chew properly, making their removal a necessary part of the dental care routine.