Not always. Wolf teeth are small first premolars that many horses carry without any trouble. Veterinarians usually recommend removing them when a tooth is loose, broken, sharp, unerupted ("blind"), sitting in the lower jaw, or positioned where the bit hits it, and especially when a young horse is about to be started in a bridle. A normal, well-placed wolf tooth in a horse that is going well can often be left alone. The decision belongs to your veterinarian after an oral exam.
What are wolf teeth?
Wolf teeth are the first premolars, sitting just in front of the first large cheek tooth. They are left over from the horse's ancestors, which were smaller browsing animals that used them for grinding. In the modern horse they are small, have a short root, do not keep erupting through life the way the cheek teeth do, and play no real part in chewing, so removing them does not affect how a horse eats.
Key facts horse owners ask about:
- How common are they? Veterinary sources commonly estimate that around 70% of horses develop wolf teeth.
- When do they appear? Usually between about 5 and 12 months of age.
- Where are they? Most are in the upper jaw, just in front of the first upper cheek tooth. Lower-jaw wolf teeth occur but are rare.
- Do mares get them? Yes. Colts, fillies and geldings are all equally likely to have them. They are not the same as canine teeth, which are mostly seen in males.
- One or two? A horse may have one, two, or occasionally more, on one side or both.
Do wolf teeth need to come out?
For years, wolf teeth were pulled almost routinely in young horses, often at the same time as castration or a first dental float, on the theory that they interfere with the bit. Current thinking is more individual. Many veterinarians now take a "if it isn't causing a problem, don't fix it" approach, and many performance horses work comfortably with normal wolf teeth in place.
When removal is usually recommended
- Blind (unerupted) wolf teeth. These stay under the gum, are more likely to be tilted or rotated, and can be pressed by the bit through the gum tissue. If one cannot be felt clearly, X-rays may be needed to confirm it.
- Lower-jaw wolf teeth. Because of where they sit, they are more likely to contact the bit, and extraction is usually advised.
- Displaced or large teeth. Teeth that sit further forward than normal, lean sideways, or are unusually large are more likely to be hit by the bit.
- Loose, fractured or infected teeth. A broken or loose tooth can be painful and may lead to a root infection.
- A young horse about to be bitted, when the vet sees a tooth that is likely to cause trouble. Trainers often prefer it done before training starts, commonly around two years old, though it can be done at any age.
When they can often be left alone
- The tooth is small, firm, fully erupted and sitting tight against the first cheek tooth.
- The horse is not ridden in a bit, or is ridden bitless.
- The horse accepts the bit well and shows no signs of mouth discomfort.
Some veterinarians also smooth and shape a normal wolf tooth as part of the "bit seat" during a routine float rather than extracting it.
Signs a wolf tooth may be bothering your horse
Bitting problems have many causes, including sharp enamel points, ulcers, poor bit fit, saddle pain and training issues, so these signs are a reason for a dental exam, not proof that a wolf tooth is to blame:
- Resisting the bit, leaning on it, or "rooting" against the reins
- Difficulty taking the bit when bridling
- Head tossing or fussiness on one rein
- Sores, cuts or bleeding on the gums, cheeks, lips or tongue near the front of the cheek teeth
- Sensitivity when the gum just in front of the upper cheek teeth is pressed
How a veterinarian removes wolf teeth
Wolf tooth extraction is a veterinary procedure. It involves sedation, local anesthesia in many cases, and work close to a major blood vessel, so it should be done by a veterinarian or under veterinary supervision, depending on the rules in your state. The outline below is so owners know what to expect.
- Pre-procedure checks. The vet confirms tetanus vaccination is current, because mouth wounds can harbor tetanus bacteria. A physical and oral exam is done first, and X-rays may be taken for a blind tooth.
- Sedation and local anesthesia. The horse is sedated standing. Many vets also use a local anesthetic or nerve block, although practice varies.
- Opening and cleaning the mouth. A full-mouth speculum is placed and the mouth is rinsed so the tooth can be seen clearly.
- Loosening the tooth. A wolf tooth elevator, such as a Burgess-style elevator, is worked around the tooth to separate the gum and stretch the periodontal ligament that holds it in the socket.
- Extraction. Once loose, the tooth is lifted out with the elevator or grasped with wolf tooth forceps and removed.
- Checking the tooth. The vet checks that the root came out whole. A fragment left deep in the socket may cause no trouble, but any piece left sticking up at the gumline can keep irritating the horse and may need further treatment.
Depending on the size and shape of the tooth, extraction can take from a few minutes to about half an hour. Blind teeth take longer because the gum, and sometimes overlying bone, must be opened first.
Risks to know about
- Palatine artery bleeding. The greater palatine artery runs close to upper wolf teeth. Damage to it is uncommon but can cause heavy bleeding that needs immediate veterinary control.
- Broken roots. Wolf tooth roots vary a lot in shape and can fracture during extraction.
- Infection of the socket, and tetanus in unvaccinated horses.
Large or curved teeth carry a higher chance of complications, which is one more reason this is a job for an experienced practitioner with the right instruments.
Aftercare and when to put the bit back in
- Follow your vet's instructions on when to feed after sedation. Sedated horses can choke if fed too soon.
- Expect a small amount of bleeding at first, and an open socket that may collect feed but usually heals quickly.
- Your vet may prescribe pain relief or other medication. Give only what they prescribe, at the dose they set.
- Keep the bit out of the mouth while the sockets heal. Veterinary recommendations range from at least several days to about two weeks, so ask your vet what applies to your horse.
- If the tooth came out because of bit resistance, improvement in behavior can take a few weeks.
Tools you'll need
This section is for veterinarians and equine dental practitioners equipping a dental kit. Owners do not need these instruments, and should not try extraction at home.
- Wolf tooth elevator. A curved, half-round blade that wraps around the tooth to separate the gum and loosen the ligament. See the Burgess-style wolf tooth elevator, or a set with interchangeable heads such as the Complete Burgess Set.
- Wolf tooth forceps. Small extraction forceps to grasp and remove the loosened tooth, for example the 9.5" wolf tooth forceps.
- Fine beak forceps for small or fractured teeth and retained root fragments, such as the fine beak wolf tooth and root fragment forceps.
- Full-mouth speculum, light source and dental mirror for a clear view.
- Gauze and rinse supplies for cleaning the mouth and managing bleeding.
You can compare elevators and forceps side by side in our equine dental forceps collection.
Frequently asked questions
Do all horses have wolf teeth?
No. Commonly cited estimates put it at roughly 70% of horses. Some never develop them, and some have them only on one side.
What is a blind wolf tooth?
A wolf tooth that never broke through the gum. It may show up as a small bump or tender spot in front of the first upper cheek tooth. Blind teeth are more likely to sit at an angle and are often recommended for removal in bitted horses.
At what age should wolf teeth be removed?
There is no fixed age. They erupt in the first year, and if removal is needed it is often done before the horse is started under saddle, commonly around two years old. Older horses can have them removed too.
Can wolf teeth grow back?
A wolf tooth that is fully removed does not grow back. A root fragment left behind can sometimes work its way up and need attention later, which is why the vet checks the extracted tooth.
How much does wolf tooth removal cost?
Cost varies by region, practice, sedation, and whether the tooth is erupted or blind. One veterinary reference describes it as typically under $100 for a routine case, but ask your vet for a quote, as farm call and sedation fees are often separate.
Can a horse be ridden with wolf teeth?
Yes. Many horses are ridden with normal wolf teeth and no problems. If your horse is fussy in the bit, have the mouth examined before assuming the wolf teeth are the cause.
When to call your vet
- Your young horse is about to be started in a bit and has never had a dental exam.
- Your horse shows new bit resistance, head tossing or mouth sores.
- You can feel a bump, loose tooth or broken tooth in front of the cheek teeth.
- After an extraction there is bleeding that does not stop within a few minutes, swelling, a bad smell from the mouth, or the horse stops eating.
- You are not sure whether your horse's tetanus vaccination is current before any dental work.
Questions about wolf tooth elevators or forceps for your practice? Call or text Dr. Tail at (443) 662-5146, or browse our equine dental instruments. Free US shipping.
