An evaluation of the accuracy of ageing horses by their dentition: a matter of experience?

This research paper examines the accuracy of using tooth examination to determine a horse’s age. It finds that this method, widely believed to be precise, has significant discrepancies, particularly in older horses, and suggests it should instead be used to provide only an ‘informed guess’.

Research Methodology

• The study revolves around an examination of the dentition of 434 thoroughbreds using photographs. These horses have a known age, which provides a baseline for the study.
• Four experienced equine clinicians were chosen to estimate the ages of the horses based solely on the photos of their teeth. This would help to gauge the accuracy of aging horses by their teeth.

Results and Findings

• The comparison of estimated ages and the actual ages revealed large discrepancies in many instances. This contradicts the conventional wisdom that a horse’s age can be reliably determined through examination of its teeth.
• Interestingly, these discrepancies tend to increase as the horse’s true age advances. This suggests that the method may be less precise for older horses.

Conclusions and Recommendations

• The research concludes that aging horses by their dentition is imprecise, effectively debunking a time-honored belief which many have held to be true.
• The researchers recommend that written records of dental features should be made each time a dental examination is undertaken. This could help in tracing changes over time, and perhaps improve the accuracy of age estimation.
• The study also suggests that, given the found limitations, veterinary surgeons should advise their clients that estimating a horse’s age from dental examination can provide no more than an ‘informed guess’.