ON THE AGE OF THE HORSE. 179 



the marks of the middle teeth begin to fill up. 

 Tiie tushes also should rise considerably above 

 the jaw. 



It is difficult to discover with accuracy the 

 age of crib-biters and horses whose teeth are 

 extremely hard ; the former lose the marks of 

 their teeth before their usual period, the latter 

 retain them long after the age of seven years. 

 In examining a horse's mouth, it is necessary to 

 look at both sides of it, as a considerable dif- 

 ference in the appearance frequently occurs 

 from the mastication of the food being perform- 

 ed on one side of the mouth only, in which 

 case the teeth on that side of the jaw which has 

 most friction, will be most forward in their al- 

 teration. 



N2 



