Wolf teeth and Canine teeth - what's the difference? 

Canine teeth - are the ancient fighting teeth and present in all male horses, from about 4yrs ish onwards and they appear in the bottom and upper jaw (at different times). If you have a young male horse, you may have noticed one canine tooth appearing, and whilst you may not see the others (yet) you will feel them under the gums waiting to come through.

Approx 25% of mares will have them. These teeth can sometimes be confused with wolf teeth - they are not and they should not be removed.

It is important that any bit avoids bumping into the canine teeth as this will be uncomfortable and is likley to hurt the horse.

Pic 1 above shows a Welsh Sect A mare with canine teeth - she had previously had a bit stuck in between her front Incisor teeth and her lower canine teeth - the gap is only about the size of a pinky finger. The experience of having a bit trapped innbetween her teeth, made her very anxious about bridles being taken off. This little mare is predominately ridden in a Bitless bridle, but does have a bridle with a bit to do dressage in.

Pic 2 - below shows the canines and wolf in the upper jaw (pointed out in grey text).

Wolf teeth - are additional (unneeded) little teeth that usually appear right in front of the first mortars - in pic 2 the wolf teeth are pointed out in grey. Wolf teeth are frequently removed by the dentist or vets, as they can become problematic.. especially if the bit contacts them - which will hurt!

Your bit shouldn't contact the horses molars - BUT this will depend on the proportions of each individual horse's mouth and how the rider applies the contact to the horse's mouth. If you pull back with the hands and reins the bit is more likely to contact the molars (depends on bit design too), which will cause resistance.

Pic 2 above, is from the article that I've attached in this link, which is useful.

And I have annotated the image in white - pointing out the grooves in the upper palate and the lump / change of shape of the body of the tongue which in addition to canine and wolf teeth should all be considered when fitting a bit.

I have also attached a side on picture below - Pic 3 - of my own horse showing his canine teeth, his big fat tongue and small space between the upper canine and the corner of his lips. Male horses with a full set of canine teeth can big fat tongues can be left with very little space in their interdental space to fit a bit. This is why loooking inside of your own horses mouth is important.

Fitting a bit is more than just reading the 'bumf' about the bit - it is about understanding the shape and proportions of your horse's mouth in which to fit a bit; and character, as it is your horse's character which will determine what type of mouthpiece your horse will accept.

I hope this helps..

Katy x