Effect of dental correction on feed digestibility in horses.
Abstract: To test the hypothesis that routine dental correction (removal only of sharp hooks and points from molars and premolars) would improve digestion of a hay/grain ration whereas performance 'floats' (rounding and smoothing of the dental arcades) would adversely affect digestion, 8 mature horses free from dental correction for over a year were used. Five-day digestion trials were conducted before and 2 and 4 weeks after correction in all horses. Although all horses had sharp points and minor premolar hooks, none had severe dental abnormalities. There were no significant differences found in apparent digestion of dry matter, crude protein, neutral detergent fibre or acid detergent fibre relative to precorrection data or controls (uncorrected horses on same digestion trial). Apparent digestibility of crude protein and fibre, however, was reduced if the occlusal angle of premolar 307 was greater than 80 degrees relative to the vertical axis (flattened). It should be recommended that regular dental correction be continued. However, if only small points and hooks are present, correction will not significantly improve digestion. Performance floating does not adversely affect digestion 2-4 weeks after the procedure is performed. Alterations in molar occlusal surface angle may affect digestibility of protein and fibre.
Publication Date: 2001-07-27 PubMed ID: 11469773DOI: 10.2746/042516401776249516Google Scholar: Lookup
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- Journal Article
- Research Support
- Non-U.S. Gov't
Summary
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This study examines the influence of routine dental correction, such as the removal of sharp hooks and points on molars and premolars, on the digestion of a hay/grain diet in horses. It found that while regular dental correction is necessary, minor dental abnormalities may not significantly impact digestion, and changes to the molar occlusal surface angle could affect protein and fibre digestibility.
Research Context
- The research was carried out to test the hypothesis that regular dental correction improves digestion in horses, while performance ‘floats’ (rounding and smoothing of the dental arcades) would negatively affect digestion.
- The study made use of eight mature horses who had not undergone dental correction for over a year.
Research Methodology
- The researchers conducted five-day digestion trials before and 2 and 4 weeks after dental correction in all the horses.
- All the horses in the study had sharp points and minor premolar hooks, but none of them had severe dental abnormalities.
- The apparent digestion of dry matter, crude protein, neutral detergent fibre or acid detergent fibre was assessed and compared to pre-correction data and controls (uncorrected horses on the same digestion trial).
Research Findings
- According to the study, there were no significant differences in the apparent digestion of dry matter, crude protein, neutral detergent fibre or acid detergent fibre as compared to pre-correction data or controls.
- The study also found that the apparent digestibility of crude protein and fibre was reduced if the occlusal angle of premolar 307 (a specific tooth in horse’s mouth) was greater than 80 degrees relative to the vertical axis.
- The research concluded that regular dental correction should continue, but if only small points and hooks are present, the digestion will not be significantly impacted.
- Their findings showed that performance floating does not adversely affect digestion 2-4 weeks after the procedure and that alterations in molar occlusal surface angle may affect the digestibility of protein and fibre.
Cite This Article
APA
Ralston SL, Foster DL, Divers T, Hintz HF.
(2001).
Effect of dental correction on feed digestibility in horses.
Equine Vet J, 33(4), 390-393.
https://doi.org/10.2746/042516401776249516 Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- Department of Animal Science, Cook College, Rutgers, State University of New Jersey, New Brunswick 08901, USA.
MeSH Terms
- Animal Feed / analysis
- Animals
- Dentistry / veterinary
- Digestion / physiology
- Horses / physiology
- Malocclusion / therapy
- Malocclusion / veterinary
- Random Allocation
- Tooth Abnormalities / therapy
- Tooth Abnormalities / veterinary
Citations
This article has been cited 2 times.- Raspa F, Vervuert I, Capucchio MT, Colombino E, Bergero D, Forte C, Greppi M, Cavallarin L, Giribaldi M, Antoniazzi S, Cavallini D, Valvassori E, Valle E. A high-starch vs. high-fibre diet: effects on the gut environment of the different intestinal compartments of the horse digestive tract.. BMC Vet Res 2022 May 19;18(1):187.
- Rahmani V, Häyrinen L, Kareinen I, Ruohoniemi M. History, clinical findings and outcome of horses with radiographical signs of equine odontoclastic tooth resorption and hypercementosis.. Vet Rec 2019 Dec 14;185(23):730.
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