A wolf tooth is a small peg-like tooth found in front of the first cheek tooth on each side of the mouth, on both the upper and lower jaw in about 50% of horses, donkeys and mules. Wolf teeth have no function in the mouth and often occur only in the top jaw, or only on one side.

He can do cow work, work and pleasure driving, packing, jumping, and is better suited for long trails, yet he still possesses all the traits that have made mules popular throughout the centuries: willingness to work, easy keeping, better resistance to disease, surefootedness, and his undying intelligence which is often …

Mules are bred because they are larger than donkeys and so as pack animals are able to cope with rougher terrain.

I would advise that wolf teeth are removed before the horse is bitted, rather than waiting to see if they are causing discomfort, which could potentially cause problems in the future. Removing them is fairly simple, and I always arrange for a vet to sedate the horse and give him a painkiller before I remove the tooth.

Because the wolf teeth are not necessary, and there is a possibility that they can interfere with bit placement in the mouth of performance horses, many horse trainers opt to have them removed before they can potentially cause pain for horses during training.

Wolf teeth usually appear or erupt when the horse is six to 18 months of age, but this also varies. In some two- or three-year-old horses, wolf teeth may be shed with the premolar caps (baby chewing teeth), partially because their roots may be pushed out by the adult teeth growing through.

Wolves can break their canine teeth when they prey on large animals such as elk and moose. Their canine teeth are very important — do you know why? When I handle wolves, for research, I examine their teeth to tell how old they are. Older wolves will have stained teeth with points that are worn down.

Do wolves ever kill members of their own pack? Yes, sometimes they do, although this is not common since wolf packs are families of directly related individuals. Sometimes wolves will drive a member of their own pack out and force it to disperse, especially if food is scarce.

Wolves care for each other as individuals. They form friendships and nurture their own sick and injured. Wolves play together into old age, they raise their young as a group, and they care for injured companions.

Wolf teeth can cause a young horse to fight the bit or even the pressure of a hackamore. Any pressure on the horse’s cheeks is capable of rubbing on these teeth. Wolf teeth tend to be pointed, so they can cause some discomfort. Most horse owners and veterinarians plan to remove any wolf teeth at about a year of age.

But Cox was able to enjoy this one with Essential Quality beating Hot Rod Charlie by 1¼ lengths. Essential Quality, who went off as the 6-5 favorite, passed early leader Hot Rod Charlie around the final turn and held on to win the $1 million race over 1½ miles. He paid $4.60 to win, $3 to place and $2.60 to show.

More videos on YouTube Connections: Essential Quality is a homebred of Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid al-Maktoum’s global Godolphin racing and breeding empire and he gave his owner a second victory in a U.S. Triple Crown race following Bernardini’s 2006 Preakness win.

Its next chance comes Saturday at Churchill Downs with undefeated Essential Quality. Bred and owned by the sheikh, the gray colt has already earned over $2.2 million and is the top points qualifier for the 147th Derby. He’s expected to be the early favorite in a likely full field of 20 horses.

1,000 horses

Baffert Does It Again: Medina Spirit Wins Kentucky Derby The horse’s breeding rights were reportedly sold for $60 million.

Godolphin is the global thoroughbred breeding operation and horseracing team founded by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum. Today Team Godolphin spans across four continents, from our home in Dubai to Europe, Australia, Japan and America.

Dogs (on leads) are welcome everywhere within Godolphin’s garden and outbuildings, including the tea-room. Dogs under close control are also welcome on the wider estate.

SHEIKH MOHAMMED – up to £14bn Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum owns the Godolphin stable. With a net worth estimated by some as high as £14bn but as ‘low’ as £3bn by other outlets, Sheikh Mohammed’s firm has recorded over 5,000 winners worldwide since its inception in 1992.