Equine dentistry is the specialised branch of veterinary medicine focused on the diagnosis, prevention, and treatment of dental and oral diseases in horses, ponies, and donkeys. Horses have hypsodont (continuously erupting) teeth that wear unevenly over time, making regular professional dental care essential for their overall health, comfort, and performance.

For most adult horses, a dental examination every 12 months is recommended. Young horses (under 5 years) and older horses (over 15 years) may need checks every 6 months, as teeth change more rapidly at these life stages. Horses with known dental issues or those in heavy work may also benefit from more frequent visits. Dr. Demey will advise you on the ideal schedule for your individual horse.

Common signs of dental problems in horses include:

• Dropping food (quidding) — partially chewed wads of hay or grass falling from the mouth
• Weight loss or difficulty maintaining condition
• Resistance or evasion under saddle, especially to bit contact
• Head tossing or tilting while eating or working
• Excessive salivation or bad breath
• Slow eating or preferring soft feed over hay
• Nasal discharge from one nostril (may indicate a tooth root abscess)
• Facial swelling along the jaw

If you notice any of these signs, please contact us to arrange an examination as soon as possible.

Absolutely. Ponies, donkeys, and mules have the same dental structures as horses and are just as prone to dental problems — in some cases even more so. Ponies are particularly susceptible to periodontal disease and tooth overcrowding due to their smaller jaw size. Donkeys are stoic animals that often mask pain, meaning dental problems can go undetected for longer. At Equide, we treat all equids and tailor our approach to each species.

We recommend beginning dental check-ups from the age of 12 months. Foals can be checked even earlier if there is concern about congenital abnormalities. Early dental care is particularly important between 2.5 and 5 years of age, when horses shed 24 deciduous (baby) teeth and erupt 36–44 permanent teeth. Problems caught early are almost always easier and less expensive to correct.

Equide was founded in 2018 by Dr. Wouter Demey, a veterinarian with advanced training in equine dentistry. The practice is based in Schaffen (Diest), Belgium, and offers both clinic-based and on-location dental care for horses, ponies, and donkeys across Belgium and the Netherlands. Dr. Demey uses state-of-the-art equipment and evidence-based techniques to provide the highest standard of equine oral health care.

Yes — dental pain is one of the most under-recognised causes of poor performance and behavioural issues in horses. Sharp enamel points, uneven wear, loose teeth, or infected roots can cause significant discomfort that may manifest as resistance to the bit, difficulty bending, reluctance to work, or even bucking and rearing. Many horses show dramatic improvements in attitude and performance following dental treatment. If your horse has developed unexplained behavioural changes, a dental examination is always worth considering.

At Equide, all dental work is performed by Dr. Wouter Demey, a fully qualified veterinarian. This distinction is important: only veterinarians are legally authorised in Belgium to administer sedation, perform diagnostic imaging, extract teeth, and prescribe medication. We always recommend using qualified veterinary dental specialists rather than unregulated lay practitioners, as proper clinical training is essential for safe and effective treatment.

Our pricing is transparent and communicated clearly when you book. The cost of a standard dental examination and floating session varies depending on whether we visit you on location or you come to our clinic in Schaffen, and on the complexity of treatment required. Travel fees apply for on-location visits. Please contact us directly for a current price list — we are happy to provide a full breakdown so there are no surprises.

Coverage depends entirely on your specific insurance policy. Many equine health insurance plans cover routine dental examinations and some treatments, while others only cover dental work that is a consequence of an accident or illness. We recommend contacting your insurer before your appointment to understand what is covered. Equide provides detailed invoices and veterinary certificates that are suitable for insurance claim submissions. We do not bill insurers directly — payment is due at the time of treatment.

Several factors influence the total cost of an equine dental appointment:

• Location — clinic visits are generally lower in cost than on-location visits, which include a travel fee
• Distance — the further from Schaffen, the higher the travel charge
• Number of animals — group discounts may apply when multiple horses are treated in one visit
• Complexity of treatment — standard floating costs less than extractions or other surgical procedures
• Sedation — included in most appointments; extra sedation for difficult horses may incur additional charges
• Follow-up requirements — additional medication or follow-up visits are charged separately

Yes — when multiple horses on the same yard are treated during a single visit, a group rate applies. This is one of the cost advantages of on-location appointments: the travel fee is shared across all animals treated. Many livery yards and stud farms benefit from scheduling all their horses on the same day. Contact us to discuss the most efficient and cost-effective arrangement for your situation.

We accept payment by bank transfer, Bancontact, and cash. Payment is due on the day of treatment. For on-location visits, we can accept payment by bank transfer within 14 days of the invoice date. We do not currently accept credit cards. If you have any concerns about the cost of treatment in advance, please discuss this with us when booking — we will always be transparent about pricing.

Yes — emergency call-outs outside of regular appointment hours incur an additional emergency surcharge on top of the standard travel and treatment fees. The exact amount depends on the time of day, day of the week, and distance. We recommend keeping up with annual dental check-ups as the best way to avoid dental emergencies. If you are concerned that your horse may have an urgent dental problem, please call us and we will advise on the best course of action.

Yes — after every appointment, Equide provides a written dental report documenting the findings, treatments performed, and recommendations for follow-up care. This report is included in the cost of the appointment and can be shared with your regular veterinarian. It is also useful for insurance purposes and for tracking your horse's dental health over time. Digital copies can be sent by email on request.

You can book an appointment with Equide by:

• Telephone: calling us directly during office hours
• Email: sending your contact details, location, number and description of animals, and preferred dates
• Online contact form: available on our website

We will confirm your appointment by phone or email and provide all the information you need to prepare. For on-location visits, we will also confirm the expected arrival time window on the day of the appointment.

Equide offers both options:

On-location visits: Dr. Demey travels to your yard or stables with a fully equipped mobile unit. This is ideal for multiple horses, horses that do not travel well, or yards that want to treat several animals in one session. A travel fee applies.

Clinic appointments: You are welcome to bring your horse to our clinic in Schaffen (Diest). The clinic is equipped with dental radiology and offers the most complete diagnostic and treatment options. Clinic appointments are slightly lower in cost as no travel is required.

Equide is based in Schaffen (Diest) in the Flemish Brabant province of Belgium. We provide on-location dental visits across all provinces of Belgium and into the Netherlands, particularly the southern provinces. Travel fees are calculated based on distance from Schaffen. For locations further afield, we may be able to combine visits with other clients in the same area to reduce costs. Please contact us to discuss your location — we will do our best to accommodate you.

To help the appointment run smoothly, please:

• Have your horse stabled or easily catchable before the scheduled time
• Ensure a safe, sheltered area is available for the examination — a stable with a good overhead light is ideal
• Have clean water available for post-procedure recovery
• Provide your horse's health history — vaccination records, any known medical conditions, current medications
• Make a note of any concerns you have observed — dropping food, bit resistance, changes in behaviour
• Do not restrict hay in the hours before the appointment

For routine dental check-ups, we recommend booking 2–4 weeks in advance, especially if you have a preferred date or time. During busy periods (spring and autumn are popular for dental check-ups), waiting times may be longer. Emergency appointments are available for urgent cases and are prioritised. If you are flexible with timing, we can often accommodate you sooner. We maintain a cancellation list — please ask to be added if you need an earlier appointment.

Yes — we understand that dental emergencies do not follow a schedule. If your horse is showing signs of severe dental pain, facial swelling, or inability to eat, please contact us immediately. We will assess the urgency of your situation and arrange emergency care as quickly as possible. Outside of normal hours, an emergency surcharge applies. Signs that warrant an urgent call include: severe difficulty eating, unilateral nasal discharge with a bad smell, acute facial swelling, or a broken/fractured tooth.

Absolutely — and we actively encourage it. Scheduling all horses on your yard in a single visit is efficient, cost-effective, and minimises disruption to your stable routine. The travel fee is shared across all horses treated, reducing the per-horse cost. We can work through multiple horses in sequence and accommodate yards of any size. Large yards may wish to schedule a half-day or full-day visit. Please contact us to discuss the logistics of treating multiple horses.

When booking your appointment, it helps to have the following information ready:

• Your name and contact details (phone and email)
• Your address and postcode (for on-location visits)
• Number and type of animals (horses, ponies, donkeys) and their approximate ages
• Reason for the visit — routine check-up, specific concern, or follow-up
• Any known health issues — heart conditions, respiratory problems, current medications
• Preferred dates and times
• Whether you have stabling available or outdoor facilities only

The more information you provide, the better we can prepare and plan the most efficient visit.