Most horses in this age bracket require annual dental exams.
Some of the horses in this age group are beginning to have a decreased ability to maintain condition due to a decrease in the availability of nutrients across the gut wall; some will need an increased dietary intake.
Common dental conditions account for about a thirty percent decrease in weight and proper care is vital to ensure these horses maintain a healthy condition. Early detection of periodontal disease (disease of the structures that anchor the tooth in place) will prevent the premature loss of that tooth.