Are set wider than the lower cheek teeth.

Sharp points or edges here can irritate or ulcerate the cheek the entire length of the arcade.

Irritated cheek tissue can cause;

	Pain while chewing (head tilt).
	Loss of suppleness in turns.
	Failure to maintain vertical head carriage.

Set closer together than the upper molars.

The teeth are about 1/3 narrower than the upper cheek teeth.

Sharp points here irritate the side of the tongue leading to;

	Excessive tongue motion.
	Loss of appetite from irritation of the taste buds.
	Head shaking.

The edges get sharp from side to side chewing

Proper shaping eliminates oral pain and allows the horse to perform at maximum ability.

Signs a horse needs floating;

	Slow eating.
	Eating hay before grain which allows the horse to pack food in the cheek protecting the soft tissue.
	Head tilt while eating.
	Resistance in turns, pulling on reins, raising head.