Horses Have Canine Teeth

Here are some interesting factoids about equine dentition:

• Horses can have different amounts of teeth.  Mares have 36 and geldings have 40 to 42.

• All horses have 12 front teeth (incisors) used for cutting grass and 24 jaw teeth (molars) used for chewing grass.
• Some males  have canine teeth between the incisors and molars.
• Some mares and geldings/stallions have wolf teeth in front of their molars, which may need to be removed for proper bit placement.
• The bit fits naturally in the bar or toothless area between the incisors and the molars.
• Most foals are born without teeth; incisors appear within 8 to 10 days. 

From: Mullen, G.  (2008).  Amazing Horse Facts and Trivia.  Chartwell Books, Inc., New York. (p.16)