I have learned that teeth problems can keep colts from shedding among other things. Our horseman friends tell us that if you have their teeth checked before they are 2 year olds, and have any problems taken care of, they get along the rest of their life with very little trouble. And I don't mean checked by a cow vet; most just don't have the knowledge or the tools to properly work on their mouth.
It's real common for young horses not to completely lose the caps on their teeth when they shed them and it can cause a lot of different things.
We bought a 4 year old once and he didn't act quite right, nice horse and all, but just something not right. We have an equine dentist right across the line into North Dakota and we had him checked. His teeth were a mess from not losing the caps. Big waves in his mouth. Took quite a bit of work to get them leveled off. Made a big difference in his attitude and response.
We partnered on a Firewater Flit son this spring that is an incredibly nice horse. Our friend has him in Texas and thought there was something bothering him a bit, not sure what it was. He is very knowledgeable and had an equine dentist take a look. His teeth were a mess. He had hooks in the front. Dave said he'd never seen that before. They did some major work on that horses mouth. In fact the dentist said he wouldn't be able to eat well for a week, but by the 3rd day he was eating. And he is so much more relaxed and fluid now.
Amazing what teeth can cause.
We sold some horses to a fellow in California seveal years ago and he said the first thing he does when he gets the horses home is to get their teeth checked and worked on. Makes big changes in the horses according to him.
I really think this and getting their sheath cleaned is conductive to happy
horses. The calvery used to clean their horses sheaths twice a week when they were marching. Arena horses especially need this done because of the dust in the arena. Dirty sheaths can horses to completely stop working. Cutting horses even, will stop cutting if it is bad enough.
It's a big deal and should be taught to these 4H kids as part of taking care of their horses. I know people who have never heard of it before.
If it is possible to get the teeth checked it is preventative maintenance.