SESKStuff Everyone Should Know
SESK: Stuff Everyone Should Know · sesk.info/horse-dental-quidding

A horse forms chewed hay into a ball in its mouth and drops it. What is this called?

Quidding, often a sign of dental trouble.

Start playing free

  1. Cribbing
  2. Quidding ✔
  3. Weaving

Why: Quidding means the horse forms partly chewed food into a ball and drops it. Merck lists it among signs of dental problems, along with loss of appetite or weight from broken or irregular teeth.

Huh, didn't know that: UMN Extension also lists head shaking and refusing the bit among signs of serious dental problems.

The dad joke
Some horses take forever doing their hair. They're high mane-tenance.
Like this card?
Play the game

References

Answer: Quidding. Quidding means the horse forms partly chewed food into a ball and drops it. Merck lists it among signs of dental problems, along with loss of appetite or weight from broken or irregular teeth.

  1. Dental Disorders of Horses (Merck Veterinary Manual) www.merckvetmanual.com/horse-owners/digestive-disorders-of-horses/dental-disorders-of-horses
    The horse may "quid," that is, form its food into a ball in the mouth
    Checked 2026-10-10.
  2. Dental Disorders of Horses (Merck Veterinary Manual) www.merckvetmanual.com/horse-owners/digestive-disorders-of-horses/dental-disorders-of-horses
    Dental conditions (such as broken or irregular teeth) are common causes of loss of appetite or weight
    Checked 2026-10-10.
  3. Caring for your horse's teeth (UMN Extension) extension.umn.edu/node/1246
    Refusal to accept the bit Head shaking
    Checked 2026-10-10.

Think this answer is wrong? Tap "Challenge this answer" on the card in the game and tell us why.

Test yourself in the game

HorsesWhat does it mean to float a horse's teeth?HorsesHow often does Merck say a vet should check a horse's teeth?HorsesHow do a horse's teeth change over its lifetime?

That's stuff everyone should know.