Evaluation of dental disorders and diseaes of racehorsesaround Aydin

In this study, it is aimed to specify the dental disorders and diseases of racehorses in Aydın and its vicinity. The study material was formed of 80 horses from Aydın, of which 27 were female and 53 were male. The horses generating the material were seperated into three different groups with regards to their ages. The first group consisted of 2-6-year-old horses (34 horses); the second group consisted of 6-12 year-old horses (33 horses); and the third one consisted of 12-year-old-and-older horses (13 horses). The races of these horses were distributed as 7 thoroughbred English Race, 7 thoroughbred Arabian Race, 56 Rahvan, 2 Haflinger and 8 Crossbreed. In the dental examinations, the number of teeth were evaluated in terms of condition and direction of irregularities, tooth fractures, abrasion irregularities,tooth decays, tartars,diastema and sharp edged tooth formations in molar teeth. As aresult of this examination, tooth irregularity proportion of the horses was found as 84,2%. In incisor teeth mostly tooth irregularities (46,2%); in wolf teeth mostly abrasion iregularities (47,1%) and in premolar and molar teeth mostly rostral hook (41,9%) were determined. It was also seen that the dental problems of horses increased as their ages increased. In conclusion it has been found out that the proportion of dental disorders and diseases of the horses in Aydın and its surrounding is not negligible, and periodical examination and care can be beneficial in minimazing the possible disorders and diseases.