How many teeth does a horse have?
Horses are adapted to grazing. In an adult horse, there are 12 incisors (six upper and six lower), adapted to biting off the grass or other vegetation, at the front of the mouth. There are 24 teeth adapted for chewing, the premolars and molars, at the back of the mouth.
Stallions and geldings have four additional teeth just behind the incisors, a type of canine teeth that are called “tushes.” Some horses, both male and female, will also develop one to four very small vestigial teeth in front of the molars, known as “wolf” teeth, which are generally removed because they can interfere with the bit.
July 13th, 2009 at 11:12 pm
A very informative article. Indeed, even the teeth of horse is important as their body and legs.
November 10th, 2009 at 11:48 am
wolf teeth, i never had mine removed because it seemed cruel. i dont use a bit though, and ride bareback. eh