What is a Dentist?
A Thoroughbred racing dentist is a qualified equine dental professional who specializes in maintaining the oral health of racehorses. Their role focuses on ensuring that a horse’s teeth, mouth, and jaw function correctly, supporting comfort, feeding efficiency, and optimal performance on the track.
In racing, dental care is crucial because even small issues can affect a horse’s ability to eat, breathe, accept the bit, and perform at high athletic levels.
Some of the key responsibilities of a Dentist include:
- Routine Dental Examinations
- Floating Teeth (Smoothing Sharp Edges)
- Bit & Tack Comfort Checks
- Corrective Dental Work
- Sedation & Pain Management
- Record Keeping & Scheduling
A Thoroughbred racing dentist is an essential equine specialist who ensures optimal oral health and comfort for racehorses. Their work directly impacts nutrition, training comfort, bit acceptance, and race performance, making dental care a vital component of professional Thoroughbred management.
Steps to becoming a Dentist
- Thorough understanding of equine dental anatomy and development
- Skilled with dental tools (manual and motorized floats, speculums, headlamps)
- Ability to identify subtle performance-affecting issues
- Calm, confident horse handling ability
- Knowledge of racing demands, tack fit, and performance pressure