By: Dr Rosie Alcorn BVSc PG Cert VPS Cert AVP MRCVS
Dental problems are extremely common in horses, far more than many owners realise. Research suggests that around 80% of horses experience dental disease at some point in their lives, with the risk increasing significantly with age. Older horses often struggle to chew effectively due to worn, loose, missing, or painful teeth.
Because horses rely heavily on their teeth to break down fibrous forage, dental issues can quickly lead to weight loss, quidding (dropping food), poor digestion, and reduced condition. Feeding a horse with dental disease requires thoughtful management to ensure they stay healthy, comfortable, and nutritionally supported.
When a horse has dental pain or abnormal wear, they simply cannot chew efficiently. As a result:
Long-stem forage becomes difficult to manage
They may eat more slowly than usual
Chewing can be uncomfortable or painful
Less food is properly digested
The aim of dietary management is to provide feeds that are easy to chew, easy to digest, and still rich in fibre, calories, and essential nutrients.
Each horse should be assessed individually, particularly if they also have conditions such as PPID.
Changing the texture of the diet is often the most important step for horses with dental problems. Many horses cope better with fresh grass, as it is naturally softer and easier to chew than hay or haylage.
Soaked feeds and mashes are excellent options because they require minimal chewing, reduce discomfort, and are easy to swallow. In severe dental cases, high-fibre soaked feeds and complete mashes can even replace long-stem forage entirely.
Keyflow's Golden Oldies provides powerful natural anti-inflammatory support. Golden Oldies is also low in sugar and starch making it safe for horses with metabolic issues, as well as being an easy to eat, quick soaking mash making it perfect for horses with dental problems.
Extruded or pelleted feeds are typically much easier to chew than long-stem forage or whole grains, and they also tend to be more digestible.
For horses requiring additional calories or protein, feeds such as Nurture can be especially beneficial. These feeds can be soaked to create a soft mash that is gentle on sensitive mouths.
A helpful feature of Keyflow feeds is their lower feeding rates, which benefit horses who struggle to consume larger meal volumes.
How you feed can be just as important as what you feed.
Offer smaller, more frequent meals
This makes eating easier and helps ensure the horse receives enough calories throughout the day.
Feed separately when possible
This reduces stress and prevents competition, giving slower, dental-compromised horses the time they need to finish their meals.
Choose molasses-free feeds
High-sugar feeds lower the pH in the mouth, encouraging bacterial growth and increasing the risk of dental caries. Molasses-free options support better oral health and long-term dental comfort.
Feeding a horse with dental disease doesn’t need to be stressful. By adjusting feed texture, selecting appropriate feed types, and adapting your feeding routine, you can greatly improve your horse’s comfort, digestion, and overall wellbeing.
Regular professional dental care, combined with a carefully considered feeding plan, helps keep dentally compromised horses healthy and happy for years to come. Keyflow’s range of highly digestible, fibre-friendly feeds provides excellent support for horses with dental challenges, ensuring they receive the nutrition they need—without discomfort.
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