• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
I Heart Horses
  • Care
  • News
  • Fun
  • Heartwarming
  • Videos
  • Rescue
  • Horse Fun
  • Tips For Riders
  • Fun Facts
  • Stories
  • Contact Us
menu icon
go to homepage
  • Care
  • News
  • Fun
  • Heartwarming
  • Videos
  • Rescue
  • Horse Fun
  • Tips For Riders
  • Fun Facts
  • Stories
  • Contact Us
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter
    • YouTube
  • search icon
    Homepage link
    • Care
    • News
    • Fun
    • Heartwarming
    • Videos
    • Rescue
    • Horse Fun
    • Tips For Riders
    • Fun Facts
    • Stories
    • Contact Us
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter
    • YouTube
  • ×

    Home » Horse Care

    What Is Horse Quidding and Tips for How You Can Treat It

    Modified: Apr 20, 2021 by Katie Hale · This post may contain affiliate links · Leave a Comment

    Horse in halter at barn stall
    Barn stall with door open
    Horse in halter at barn stall

    One question that is regularly asked by those new to horses, is what does the term quidding mean.  In a simple answer, horse quidding refers to something that happens when a horse is usually dealing with some discomfort in its mouth. The horse may begin eating food but will spit out bits and pieces of that food on the ground.  It can be bothersome to both the horse and you, so let's see how you can prevent or fix this when it occurs!

    Horse in halter at barn stall

    What Is Horse Quidding and How Can I Treat It?

    You may notice that your horse has started quidding because you are noticing pieces of food lying around that are somewhat moist and chewed, but not entirely. If you have spotted this happening on your land, you should know that your horse is likely in some sort of pain. It is important to get to the bottom of what is causing such an issue.

    As a horse owner, it's important to pay attention to any change in behavior, including eating habits.  Since quidding can be serious in horses, pay attention to what's going on and get to the bottom of the problem as fast as possible. Make sure you are watching for signs your horse is stressed. 

    Brown horse with white marking in field

    What Causes Horse Quidding? 

    The most common cause of horse quidding is mouth pain. However, a horse can experience pain in the mouth for several reasons, so it isn't always just one thing creating the problem. 

    Broken or damaged teeth

    The teeth inside your horse’s mouth may be causing various problems. One thing that can happen is that the teeth have become a bit too sharp or are not all even.  When biting down on food, the uneven teeth can cause pain or even break.  

    Another issue is when there are mouth sores, gum disease, or even food stuck in a tooth.  While not as common as other things, these can all happen at various times and create a problem.  

    Although it can happen to a horse at any age, quidding is more likely to happen in older horses. While the horses want to eat, their teeth make it difficult for them to properly chew the food provided, thus causing quidding to occur.  Quidding is most damaging to the horse because it can cause them to become malnourished. 

    Overcrowding of teeth

    Another cause of extreme discomfort in horses is overcrowding of the teeth. It may be surprising to hear, but some horses will run into the issue of having too many teeth!  Just like with their human counterparts, a horse can be born with a smaller jaw or too many teeth, and this creates a bit of pain and difficulty when chewing. 

    Unfortunately, if overcrowding is the cause, the pain typically continues until several of the teeth get extracted by a professional.  This is just another reason why regular dental and health care for your horse is so important! 

    White horse eating from tree

    Is There a Way to Stop a Horse From Quidding?

    Putting a stop to the quidding is important. You want to make sure your horse can eat without feeling uncomfortable and leaving a mess behind.

    If you want to treat the quidding, you need to consult an equine veterinarian or equine dentist to work on your horse’s teeth. Options include extractions, antibiotic treatments, or filing down teeth that are uneven and causing issues. What is done to treat your horse depends upon their unique needs.  You will want to follow the directions of your veterinarian to make the proper choice regarding your horse's care.

    Some of the services include removing sharp areas from the teeth and treating any infections in the mouth with proper oral medication. These treatments can make such a significant improvement by drastically reducing the pain and discomfort. As a result of the dental treatment, your horse should have no problem chewing and swallowing its food as it did before.

    Here are some more important things to know about a horse's teeth that you should be aware of when calling out an equestrian vet or dentist!

    Horse Courses by Elaine Heney

    • Listening to the Horse - The Documentary by Elaine Heney & Grey Pony Films
    • Shoulder In & Out Training for better balance, bend & topline development with your horse
    • Over 110+ Polework Exercises & Challenges to Download
    • Dancing at Liberty & Creating Connection with Your Horse (11 lessons) - Grey Pony Films
     

    What You Can Do to Help Your Horse

    When you first notice that your horse is quidding, make an appointment with a veterinarian who provides equestrian services. If there is a bit of wait to see them, you can provide softer foods to your horse in the meantime. You may want to offer some softer selections to make it a bit easier for your horse to chew its food. 

    Protect Your Horse's Health

    Horse quidding is a problem that occurs when a horse is experiencing pain inside its mouth. The pain can occur due to overcrowding or sharp teeth throughout the mouth. You will need to seek professional help for your four-legged friend. The findings from the examination will determine the exact approach you need to take to treat your horse and improve its oral health. With help from an equestrian dentist, you can put a stop to quidding for good while making sure your horse feels its best.

    More Tips for Horse Owners

    • 4 Reasons Why Horses Show Their Teeth
    • Do Horses Need Their Teeth Brushed and More Dental Tips
    • 5 Types of Worms Horses Get and Treatment Options

    More Horse Care

    • Pros and Cons of Braiding Your Horse's Mane or Tail
    • lone brown horse at barn door
      10 Items Every Horse Owner Needs in Their Barn First Aid Kit
    • 6 Important Things The Horse Care Books Don't Tell You
    • White horse lounging on grass
      10 Common Reasons You Have a Tired Horse and What to Do

    Sharing is caring!

    1.6K shares
    • Share1.6K
    • Tweet

    Reader Interactions

    Leave a Reply Cancel reply

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

    Primary Sidebar

    Search

    Recent Posts

    • 17 Gorgeous Equestrian Outfit Ideas for Women
    • 15 Fantastic Pictures of Horse's Jumping to Make You Smile
    • Pros and Cons of Braiding Your Horse's Mane or Tail
    • 10 Things to Do with Your Horse That Aren't Riding
    • 30 Stunning Pictures of White Horses You Must See

    Categories

    Follow Us

    • Facebook
    • Pinterest
    • Instagram
    • YouTube

    iHeartHorses.com is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com. As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases.

    Copyright © 2023 · iHeartHorses Inc.

    1.6K shares
    • 1.6K

    Terms and Conditions - Privacy Policy