DENTAL INDICATIONS OF AGE OF A HORSE 1 93 



designated a colt, but it now assumes the name of 

 horse ; the female, which up to this time has been 

 denominated filly, is now called mare. 



The mouth of the horse is nearly perfect at the 

 age of five years. The corner incisors are fully 

 developed, with the mark on the inside long and 

 irregular. (See Plate iv, fig. 7.) The other nippers 

 will exhibit considerable indications of wearing, the 

 tushes be much grown, and the grooves on the 

 sides will have nearly or quite disappeared, pre- 

 senting an almost regular convex surface. They 

 are still, however, as concave within, and with their 

 edges nearly as sharp as they were six months 

 previously. The third and sixth molar teeth will 

 have attained their complete height. The three 

 last grinders and tushes are never shed. 



When the animal has attained its sixth year, the 

 mark on the central incisors, or nippers, will be com- 

 pletely worn off, leaving, however, a little difference 

 of colour in the centre of the teeth. The cement 

 which fills the hole produced by the dipping in of 

 the enamel will be somewhat browner than that of 

 other portions of the tooth, and will exhibit evident 

 proofs of the edge being surrounded by enamel. 

 This condition has perplexed the inexperienced, as 

 many expect to find the surface of the tooth plain, 

 and of a uniform colour, whereas they are both 

 irregular and discoloured, as we have above de- 

 scribed. (See Plate iv, fig. 8). 



In the second incisors the mark is shorter, 

 broader, and more faint, with the enamel of the 

 edges of the corner teeth more regular, while the 

 surface gives sufficient evidence of wear. The 

 tushes will have attained their full size, being fully 

 an inch long, convex outwardly, and a little concave 



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