Equine odontoplasty-commonly known as tooth rasping or “floating”-has a long and complex history rooted in the broader development of equine dentistry. Archaeological and textual evidence suggests that dental intervention in horses dates back at least 3,000 years, making it one of the oldest forms of veterinary care.

The earliest direct evidence comes from Bronze Age Mongolia (c. 1150 BCE), where horse skulls show deliberate modification of teeth, including the cutting of abnormal incisors. These early procedures were likely experimental and performed with stone tools, indicating a practical attempt to improve feeding efficiency and behaviour. This demonstrates a clear link between equine dental care and the development of horsemanship and warfare.

The practice of rasping sharp enamel points-central to modern odontoplasty-likely developed gradually alongside domestication and changes in feeding and management. Horses possess hypsodont teeth that erupt continuously, leading to uneven wear and the formation of sharp edges that can injure soft tissues. Historical accounts from the 19th and early 20th centuries indicate that practitioners focused heavily on these enamel points, often using hand rasps to smooth them. This period marks the emergence of rasping as a routine procedure, although it was often performed by horsemen rather than trained veterinarians.

In the modern era, odontoplasty has become the most commonly performed procedure in equine dentistry, aimed at restoring proper occlusion and preventing pain or dysfunction. Despite its widespread use, the scientific evidence supporting routine rasping remains limited.
One of the first areas investigated was the direct effect of rasping on dental tissues. A key study used scanning electron microscopy to compare rasp types and found that all methods caused damage to dentine and enamel, including disruption of odontoblast processes and surface gouging. Motorised tools produced smoother surfaces but also removed more tissue, raising concerns about over-aggressive reduction. These findings challenged the assumption that rasping is entirely benign and suggested potential long-term consequences for tooth vitality.

More recent work has focused on how odontoplasty interacts with normal dental physiology. Reviews emphasise that irregularities such as enamel points and ridges are part of the horse’s natural grinding system and contribute to efficient mastication. Excessive smoothing may therefore reduce chewing efficiency rather than improve it. Histological studies of equine teeth also show a continuous capacity for dentine production, suggesting teeth are adapted to gradual wear, but potentially vulnerable to excessive artificial reduction.

Newer research has examined iatrogenic risks associated with dental procedures, including rasping. A 2024 study measuring forces during odontoplasty found that use of mouth speculum can generate high loads on incisors (up to several thousand newtons), with potential for injury. Other studies have investigated heat production during overgrowth reduction and the potential to cause heat necrosis of the pulp tissue, reinforcing the need for caution.

Despite its widespread use, there is limited high-quality evidence proving routine rasping improves health or performance. Much of the support comes from clinical experience (e.g., reducing oral ulceration from sharp enamel points), rather than controlled trials.