Foals and yearlings should be evaluated for incisor abnormalities, but most dental work can wait until they are older. Horses should be checked by the time they are two, or at least 30 days prior to training. Wolf teeth should be extracted prior to the use of a bit. Caps (baby teeth) may also need to be extracted if they are retained. Dental problems affect the way the horse takes a bit and may create bad habits that are often difficult to correct later. Early correction of many dental problems can save the horse years of pain, and greatly extend the life of the teeth, not to mention a much more productive (and less expensive) training experience. Adult horses should have their teeth checked every 6 to 12 months, depending on their age, occupation and dental health. Geriatric horses may not need dental work each year, but should be examined regularly for fractured and loose teeth.