Here are some possible indications of dental issues to watch for:

• Reluctance to eat
• Quidding (dropping feed while chewing)
• Chewing with mouth open
• Eating slowly or leaving feed
• Weight loss or loss of condition
• Excessive salivation while eating
• Bleeding from the mouth or blood in saliva
• Colic
• Nasal discharge
• Facial swelling
• Undigested feed in manure
• Head tossing or shaking
• Bucking
• Head tilting while ridden
• Difficulty bending
• Opening the mouth when ridden
• Trouble getting 'on the bit'
• Smell coming from the mouth
• Tilting the head while eating

However, don't always rely on these signs. Horses are incredibly good at masking dental pain and may show no symptoms even when in discomfort.

If you're unsure whether your horse has had a dental check in the past six months, it's best to get it checked as soon as possible. It’s a case of better safe than sorry — early treatment is often more effective and more cost-efficient than correcting advanced issues.