Wolf teeth are technically known as the first premolar teeth in horses, and they usually erupt into the mouth at 5-12 months of age, but do not continue to grow or erupt into the mouth throughout life as do other cheek teeth. Approximately 70% of horses will develop wolf teeth, and fillies appear to be equally likely to develop wolf teeth as colts or geldings. Wolf teeth are positioned just in front of the first cheek teeth, and they are usually in the maxilla (upper jaw), but can develop in the mandible (lower jaw) as well. Sometimes there may only be a wolf tooth on one side (unilateral) and not on the other (bilateral) . Unlike other cheek teeth, wolf teeth do not have a chewing function at all. Wolf teeth are vestigial teeth that probably date back to when horses were much smaller, forest-dwelling browsers. Fossil records indicate that over thousands of years, as horses evolved into grazers, they have gone from having seven functional cheek teeth in each arcade to only six. The first premolar has thus become redundant and does not have a chewing function at all.
Wolf teeth do not pose any health risks, but just like any tooth, they can cause discomfort and pain if they interfere with the bit or if they are traumatized during riding or driving. Therefore, in horses that are to be ridden or driven in a bit of any sort, extraction of wolf teeth is the norm. The main reason for removing them is to allow access to the first cheek teeth (second premolars) so that these can be contoured or “bit seated” . The younger the horse, the easier it is to extract wolf teeth. Some wolf teeth may be displaced and may sit below the gum line, often lying at an angle. These wolf teeth are called ‘blind’ wolf teeth. These are identified by careful examination on the area of the gum in front of the cheek teeth. Removal of the ‘blind’ teeth requires an incision of the gum prior to extraction.
