The Effect of Occlusal Equilibration on Sport Horse Performance (Dressage) James L. Carmalt, MA, VetMB, MVetSc, MRCVS, Diplomate ABVP, Diplomate ACVS; Kathryn P. Carmalt, BSc, MSc; Spencer M Barber, DVM, Diplomate ACVS Authors’ addresses: Department of Large Animal Clinical Sciences (J. Carmalt, Barber); Western College of Veterinary Medicine, 52 Campus Drive, Department of Toxicology (K. Carmalt); University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, SK S7N5B4 Canada. Dr. Carmalt’s current address is Scone Veterinary Hospital, 106 Liverpool Street, Scone, NSW 2337, Australia. Take Home Message Occlusal equilibration performed on dressage horses had no significant positive effect on performance as determined by blinded, experienced dressage judges. Introduction Modern reference texts cite dental disease as being responsible for a multitude of systemic problems in the horse, as well as a cause of poor performance. 1,2 The scientific evidence for some of these statements is lacking. The authors of previous studies have theorized that rostro-caudal mobility of the equine mandible is an important aspect of performance, especially in those equine disciplines that require extreme poll flexion, such as dressage. 3 Materials and Methods A randomized, controlled, blinded, prospective crossover design protocol was followed using eleven horses that had not had a dental examination or floating performed for at least 12 months prior to test date (floated) and five horses that had routine dental care performed (every 6 months). National Federation (Equine Canada)-approved standard dressage tests 1A and 1B were used. All horses were ridden by a single, certified test-rider, in front of two experienced dressage judges. After testing, all horses were sedated, the amount of rostro-caudal mobility (RCM) of the mandible was determined, and the oral cavity examined with the aid of a full-mouth speculum. A dental disease score was assigned using previously published techniques. Horses in the treatment group received dental floating, including the removal of sharp enamel points, hooks, ramps and stepped teeth (if present) using a motorized dental instrument. a The dental instrument was operated in the mouths of horses in the control group for the mean time taken to float the treatment group, but the instrument was not allowed to touch the teeth. Published in IVIS with the permission of the AAEP Close this window to return to IVIS