U(f 



THE HORSE. 



i'T 



At two years all this will be more manifest. The accompanying cut 

 d» serves attention, as giving an accurate representation of the nippers in 

 the lower jaw of a two-year-old colt. 



About this period a 'fifth grinder will push 

 out, and now, likewise, will commence another 

 process. The first teeth are adapted to the 

 size and wants of the young animal. They 

 are sufficiently large to occupy and to fill the 

 colt's jaws ; but when the jaws are expanded 

 with the increasing growth of the animal, 

 the teeth are separated too far from each 

 other to be useful, and another and larger set 

 is required. Evident provision is made for 

 these, even before the colt is foaled. In cav- 

 ities in the jaw, beneath the first and tempo- 

 rary teetli, are to be seen the rudiments of a 

 second and permanent set. These gradually increase, and some with 

 greater rapidity than others, and pressing upon the roots or fangs of the 

 first teeth, the consequence of this pressure is, not that the first teeth 

 are forced out, but the portion pressed upon gradually disappears ; it is 

 absorbed, taken up, and carried away, by numerous little vessels, whose 

 office it is to get rid of the worn out or useless part of the system. This 

 absorption continues to proceed as the second teeth grow and press upon 

 Iheir predecessors, until the whole of the fang is gone, and the crown of the 

 tooth, or that part of it which was above the gum, having no longer firm 

 hold, drops out, and the second teeth appear, larger and stronger, and per- 

 maiient. In a few instances, however, the second teeth do not rise imme- 

 diately under the temporary or milk teeth, but somewhat by their side ; and 

 then, instead of this gradual process of absorption and disappearance from 

 the point of the root upwards, the root being compressed sideways, dimin- 

 ishes throughout its whole bulk ; the crown of the tooth diminishes with the 

 root ; and the whole is pushed out of its place, to the forepart of the first 

 grinder, and remains for a considerable time under the name of a wolf^a 

 tooth, causing swelling and soreness of the gums, and frequently wounding 

 the cheeks. These would be gradually quite absorbed, but the process 

 might be slow and the annoyance would be great ; and therefore it is proper 

 to get rid of these diminutive teeth, either by punching them out or drawing 

 them as soon as they are perceived. 



This change of teeth commences in those which earliest appeared, and, 

 the"( fore, the front, or first grinder gives way at the age of two years, and 

 is succeeded by a larger and permanent tooth. Now, likewise, seriously 

 commences, in too many cases, the roguery of horse-dealers and breeders. 

 A colt rapidly increases in value, as his age and growili increase. A three- 

 year-old colt is worth twenty-five per cent, more than a two-year-old one; 

 and if a dealer has a strong and likely colt, that was dropped early in the 

 year, and whose form and points might deceive the unwary, he is anxious 

 to pass him if he can for a three-year-old. To accomplish this, he must 

 give him a three-year-old mouth ; and between two years and a half and 

 three years, the two middle nippers are displaced, and succeeded by two 

 permanent teeth. 



During the period between the*falling out of the central milk nippers 

 and the coming up of the permg^ent ones, the colt, having a broken mouth, 

 may have some difficulty in grazing. If he should fiil! away considerably 

 in condition, he should be fed with mashes and corn, or cut meat. 



