Zenyatta

Queen of Racing

Ask The Experts

Ask The Experts #11

Q:

A while back you had a great informational piece about hoof management for Baby Z. I was wondering what you do to take care of his teeth? Do horses have baby teeth they lose to make room for permanent teeth like humans?

Vicki Vinson

Apple Valley, CA

A: The oral cavity of a young growing horse is undergoing constant change. Unlike humans, horses have hypsodont teeth that are constantly erupting. From the time a foal is born to the time the horse is an adult, the number of teeth increases from 0-6 as a foal to 36-44 as a full mouthed adult. The average horse has a full mouth of 36-44 teeth (4 rows of 11) by the age of 4 years. During the first four years, it is important to routinely evaluate the oral cavity for congenital (born with) and developmental (acquired) disorders. If congenital and developmental disorders are not identified and addressed early, they may lead to more severe disorders.

A newborn foal is born with few teeth. The first incisors may be present at birth or can be just below the gingival surface. The first incisors typically erupt through the gingiva around 6-8 days of life. All of the incisors should be present by 6-9 months of age. The same is true for the 2nd, 3rd, and 4th pre-molars. They may be present at birth but they are generally exposed by two weeks of age. Three permanent molars erupt caudal (behind) to the premolars at 1, 2 & 3.5-4 years respectively.

Photo courtesy of Alys Emson/Lane’s End

As Baby Z grows up his teeth will be examined periodically to insure that they are erupting in the proper place, size and number. All foals at Lane’s End are examined at birth for any oral abnormalities. Foals are monitored daily for any illnesses or injuries and that includes the oral cavity. As Baby Z becomes a yearling he will have an oral exam performed twice a year to monitor normal tooth wear and eruption. If necessary, sharp enamel points that form on the outside of the upper tooth arcades and the inside of the lower tooth arcades will be reduced. This is most commonly known as “teeth floating.” Baby Z may also have his wolf-teeth or first pre-molars removed before he enters light breaking and training. Wolf-teeth may cause him discomfort when a bit is placed in his mouth and that could interfere with his training.

Routine oral care is a critical part of any annual wellness program. With oral exams once to twice a year, Baby Z will be sure to have a beautiful set of pearly whites to smile with in the winners circle!

Our Expert

Ernie Martinez II DVM

Hagyard Equine Dentistry

Dr. Martinez graduated from the Oklahoma State College of Veterinary Medicine in 2003. He completed an ambulatory internship at Hagyard Equine Medical Institute and became a Field Care Associate in 2004. His practice includes emergency field medicine, herd health and wellness, neonatal foal care, mare and stallion reproduction, and equine dentistry. Dr. Martinez is actively involved with veterinary medicine organizations, holding positions in the Kentucky Association of Equine Practitioners and the National American Association of Equine Practitioners. His wife practices small animal emergency medicine in Lexington, KY. They live in Versailles with their three year old son and two dogs.

Reader Interactions

889 Comments

  1. / Reply

    Darley‏ tweeted
    “I believe he’s the best sire in the country,” William Currin, on Bernardini that made $1.55m on day three of #KeeSep

    Bernardini colt bought by Coolmore for $1.55-million
    Posted: Wednesday, September 12, 2012 1:50 PM
    by Joe Nevills
    The first seven-figure horse from Book Two at the Keeneland September yearling sale came during Wednesday’s third session when the Coolmore partnership dropped the hammer on a Bernardini colt for $1.55-million.
    The price is the second-highest of this year’s Keeneland September sale through the middle of the third session, trailing only Monday’s session-topping $1.65-million Distorted Humor colt.
    The bay colt is out of Carson City mare Wilshewed, who has produced four winners from five to start. He is a half-brother to Grade 1 winner Stormello, who stood at Vinery in Lexington prior to his death in 2011, and recent Grade 2 winner My Best Brother. His notable family members include Grade 3 winner The Pamplemousse, Australian Group 2 winner All Bar One, and Italian Group 1-placed Saudi Desert.
    http://www.thoroughbredtimes.com/sales-news/2012/09/12/coolmore-buys-seven-figure-bernardini-colt.aspx

  2. / Reply

    Thoroughbred Times‏ tweet on A. P Indy filly
    Hip 712, filly from final crop of A.P. Indy and first foal o/o G1 winner Dream Empress, hammered down at 335K

  3. / Reply

    Three Chimneys Farm‏ tweet on Dynaformer colt sale
    Three Chimneys consigned half bro to record-setter & G1-placed 2YO Teen Pauline by Dynaformer goes for $650k! R. I. P. Big D
    Another tweet
    Shadwell signs ticket for Hip 728, the 650K Dynaformer colt

  4. / Reply

    Adelaide HorseRacing‏ tweet on Frankel
    Frankel is to have a racecourse gallop at Newmarket on Saturday week as he builds up to what is likely to be the final start of his caree

  5. / Reply

    It’s always a good thing to doublecheck info. Here is a good example:
    Darley‏ tweet
    Bernardini’s colt o/o Double Date, hip 709, goes to Mark Casse for $435k at Keeneland
    Thoroughbred Times‏ tweet
    Hip 709, a Bernardini filly, brings hammer down at 435K
    Keta Note: Colt it is

  6. / Reply

    I never cease to be amazed with the terrific questions you folk come up with in this segment – just fantastic. Thank you so much for the questions, and of course many thanks to the Lane’s End experts. I really look forward to reading the segment. Terrific!!

  7. / Reply

    And, the final before saying Good Night, the horse with no name
    $1.3 Million Big Brown Colt Nears First Start
    By Deirdre B. Biles, @BH_DBiles
    Updated: Wednesday, September 12, 2012 6:20 PM
    The $1.3 million Big Brown colt that was the most expensive 2-year-old in training sold this year at public auction is nearing his first career start, according to Demi O’Byrne, a member Coolmore Stud’s buying team. The bay juvenile is under the care of multiple Eclipse Award-winning trainer Todd Pletcher.
    He’s doing well,” said O’Byrne during the third session of the Keeneland September yearling sale in Lexington Sept. 12. “He’ll run maybe, according to Todd, in three weeks.”
    O’Byrne bought the colt from Wavertree Stables, agent, at the Fasig-Tipton Florida select sale of 2-year-olds in training in early March.
    “I don’t what his name is yet,” O’Byrne said. “We tried to call him John Brown, after the abolitionist, and they (The Jockey Club) didn’t take it for some reason. They didn’t allow that, so I don’t know what’s happening.”

    Read more on BloodHorse.com: http://www.bloodhorse.com/horse-racing/articles/72769/13-million-big-brown-colt-nears-first-start#ixzz26IpGiY87

    • / Reply

      Ok, editors, As a Kentuckian, I do know it is Lexington
      Remember I had signed off for the night before spotting this.
      Sweet dreams!

    • / Reply

      Keta,

      So glad you shared this link. I figured John Shirreffs would be at the Keeneland sale and this proves it. You gotta know if he’s that close to Lane’s End he’ll be seeing Zenyatta and 12Z. Hope we can see some pictures of those visits..

    • / Reply

      Thanks for sharing. Great insights into how they narrow down their interest. John looked great and I hope we get some John/Z pictures also.

  10. / Reply

    Thank you, Dr. Martinez, for your excellent explanation about Z12’s teeth! How very interesting to learn so many new things I did not know about horse’s mouths. Another one of the many reasons to love all things Zenyatta – fantastic learning opportunities! Thank you so much, Team Z and all of Lane’s End!

  12. / Reply

    Dear Lanes End and Dr. Martinez,

    Such a highly qualified and well rounded veterinarian to care for all those
    fielty yearlings and their teeth. You forgot to include how many of them
    bite you??? HA HA !!! Great information and thanks for sharing. Wondered
    when horses started getting their teeth floated ????? TOO CUTE, he will have a nice smile thanks to you, Lanes End and of course TEAM Z and The MOSSES when
    he is in the winners circle.

    Thanks for sharing your expertise.

  13. / Reply

    Dear Alys,

    SOOO very much love this photo of the boys sharing the watering trough.
    That bay boy, Spooky Minster’s son ??, is so cute. I love his white blaze
    he is soooo handsome. So very impressed with the manners of all three
    in the photo actually sharing. They have learned good herd manners from
    their moms.

    Thanks soooo much for taking these great photos.

    • / Reply

      Hey Sign, they were gorgeous. The Second one, i saw what appeared to me to be some Seattle Slew in her. When she turned her head that look. They were both beautiful. In that second interview I heard him mention John Stephens, Great Florida Trainer of yearlings. Glad to hear him getting mentioned.

    • / Reply

      Keeneland Assn‏ tweet to AP Indy. Yes, he has a Twitter account!
      @TheAPIndy Your little ones are doing well!
      You had 7 go thru #keesept at an avg of $562,143 for a gross of $3,935,000

  16. / Reply

    This is another very informative answer to a great question. Thank you Dr. Martinez and Dr. Alter for your time in explaining the dentistry part of horses.

    Thanks again to Alys for another great picture. I’m going to take a stab at who the third colt is. In the July 25th Blog, “Kicking Off a Big Week”, there is a picture of Zenyatta and another mare, not Spooky Minister. When my cursor was on that picture, it said Zen and Noble. I checked the Foal list and on Feb.19th a mare named Noble Idea foaled a Smart Strike colt.. In the Aug. 8th Blog, “Boys of Summer”, I think it’s the last picture and with the cursor on the picture, it said 12Z and Noble. So, my guess is the colt is 12 Noble Idea.

    Now, I have a lot of posts and links to catch up on. You all are just a wealth of information.

    • / Reply

      Thanks Marty. I think that maybe you explained this once before, but there must be too many air holes in my brain – stuff just doesn’t stick the way it used to (groan). Left a response to you on the last post.
      Sandy

      • / Reply

        Sandy,

        Don’t be too hard on yourself. I don’t remember explaining this before. Of course, just last week I proved how reliable my memory is. Marty R

  17. / Reply

    Dear Lane’s End and Team Z:

    Thanks for another interesting and informative Q & A Ask The Experts. Thanks too for the photo of The Prince and his buds. He looks great. Love the green duct tape. Hugs, JB

  21. / Reply

    Thanks Dr. Martinez. Ahh! It will be nice to see Baby Z someday in the winners circle smiling with his beautiful pearly white teeth.

  22. / Reply

    Adelaide HorseRacing‏ tweet Thurs. Sept 13
    Outstanding sprinter-miler Mufhasa has been named New Zealand Horse of the Year for a second time.
    Mufhasa, who has won more than $3 mill

  23. / Reply

    Racing Post‏ tweets on St. Leger
    Frankie Dettori takes the ride on Michelangelo in the St Leger as William Buick opts for stablemate Thought Worthy #Doncaster

    Field of nine set for Saturday’s St Leger as Camelot’s trainer Aidan O’Brien takes out Imperial Monarch and Chamonix #Doncaster

  24. / Reply

    Thanks, LE, for yet another great answer to a great question. This site continues to be a primer for educating all of us on all things regarding the wonderful world of horses.

  25. / Reply

    @Judy B.–thanks so much for the BL link. Love those pictures. Just adore Jackson Bend. Now we know where It’s Tricky learned her “moves”–lol. Also, the picture of Zo Impressive’s hooves in the rain reflections was gorgeous.

    • / Reply

      Dear Barb W. and Max:

      So glad you enjoyed BL’s latest Blog and photos. Love Jackson Bend too and those beautiful Grays. It’s amazing how BL captures them in motion. Especially liked the photos of that feisty 9 year old mare, Lady Rizzi, kicking up her heels. The photo of Bill Mott’s track pony, Paintball, rolling in the dirt was terrific too. Hugs, JB

      • / Reply

        Judy B,
        Thanks so much for the link, what beautiful pics of these lovely horses……such a treat! I don’t know the whole story about Papa Charlie ( I must have missed a post) but how exciting that you are getting him. Please send a picture when you can and God Bless you for your caring nature. Hugs

        • Dear Sue:

          Thank you for your kind words. Will let you know how Papa Charlie’s rescue progresses. I will take photos when I get to meet him and will attempt to post them here. So glad you enjoyed the link to BL’s Blog and photos. Hugs, JB

  28. / Reply

    Zenyatta, 12Z, The Mosses, The Sherriffs, All of Team Zenyatta, All of Team Lanes’s End, You are all awesome!!. Thank you, thank you! Forever! God Bless You All!!

  29. / Reply

    Just to Share

    This morning on the Morning Line I heard an interview Graham Motion Did by phone.
    He was talking about Animal Kingdon.
    Animal Kingdom worked 5 Furlongs yesterday At Fair Hill In Maryland 9-12-12
    Next week they are going to work him on the turf. They are not pointing him towards anything special but it sounded like they will let him tell them when he is ready.
    The guys at TVG Asked him if he could go to Dubai in 2013 and Graham Motion said that was a possibility.
    I just love this horse and I am so glad he’s doing good.
    I believe Motion is such a great Trainer. He still has Better Talk Now Stabled close to him in Maryland. That is so wonderful when they care so much about the horses.
    I am going to try to post a utube video where Graham Motion talks if I miss with posting it. It is entitled
    Kentucky Derby Winner Animal Kingdoms Trainer Graham Motion. On youtube it is great.

    http://youtu.be/gEibYWJaiP

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