2 year old with wolf teeth - in or out?

[Sooty]

Thinking of showing my rising 2 year old coloured cob this summer, dentist saw him in January and his wolf teeth are through. Do I ...

1. Have them removed and bit him
2. NOT removed and bit him
3. Don't bother bitting until he's older and show him in a headcollar?

He's pretty laid back lad, but in a new environment a bit would offer more control.

.... should be a poll really, but I couldn't find the option to create one :o

Thanks guys :)

[fjordlady]

Thinking of showing my rising 2 year old coloured cob this summer, dentist saw him in January and his wolf teeth are through. Do I ...

1. Have them removed and bit him
2. NOT removed and bit him
3. Don't bother bitting until he's older and show him in a headcollar?

He's pretty laid back lad, but in a new environment a bit would offer more control.

.... should be a poll really, but I couldn't find the option to create one :o

Thanks guys :)

I would say have them removed. That way when it comes times to bit him you know that any difficulties are not due to his wolf teeth :D

[domane]

Oh Lord... I hadn't even thought about wolf teeth til you mentioned it recently.... :o Think I will get provisionally book removal when Ludo's next vaccination is due (Oct) - at least then if they do need to be removed it's only one callout :p

[shandy84]

I would remove them and then you have the choice, mine had hers out at two yrs with no problems, also means he's ready when you are to start long reining etc

[eventerbabe]

mine has woolf teeth and he's bitted ;) when i posted on this subject several respondants mentioned they'd got horses with woolf teeth and they caused no problems. My vet won't give me a definitive answer so i've decided to leave kezzie for the moment. He's bitted, long reined, lunged and (almost!) sat on and he's no problems or fussiness in his mouth so we'll just bide our time :)

[Wally]

I really would wait and see if it is an issue, I have known some horses have issues on the removal of wolf teeth, pain memory????, who can tell?

[Sooty]

I really would wait and see if it is an issue, I have known some horses have issues on the removal of wolf teeth, pain memory????, who can tell?

Ooo er, hadn't thought of that Wally! Maybe I'll bit him with them in and see how he goes. Not as though I'll be riding him or anything ...

Thanks everyone!

[Sooty]

oops, sorry - double-posted!

[Hollymead]

I think wolf teeth get a bit too much bad press. Yes, of course they can cause problems, but not every set of teeth does. Personally I think why go to all the hassle and trauma of removing something that may cause no issues at all? Personally I would leave them in, bit him, and then see what happens. I say all this and still my girl had to have hers removed, lol :)

[flintybaby]

Ours have wolf teeth and are bitted. Some dont have wolf teeth and are bitted. No problems with either. Maybe speak to your dentist and see what he suggests?

[chev]

Three of mine have wolf teeth and are bitted happily. I don't see the point of putting them through removal if they're not going to cause problems. One of ours had them out as they were causing problems and was very headshy for a while afterwards.

[Sooty]

Thank you - yes, I have decided to leave them alone and see how he goes.

My EDT suggested getting the vet to remove them before bitting but he is very traditional (he also suggested using a bit with mouthing keys on, which isn't the approach I want to take really)

[maverick927]

I am an EDT and don't believe in really taking out wolf teeth before a horse is 3 1/2.

Between 2 1/2 and 3 1/2, any bitting issues and head issues are usually due to shedding baby teeth (caps).

I've done a number of horses where I haven't been able to take out wolf teeth (like, owner won't pay for vet sedation), and I just rasped the teeth. Each time, the owner has seen an improvement, even though the wolf teeth remained.

It's something I only found out when I became a practising EDT. When in training, all wolf teeth were 'bad', but I do not agree.

[Sooty]

I am an EDT

.. I have made a note of that for future reference :)

Thanks for your thoughts on this, more reasons to leave well alone for the time being.