THE TEETH AS INDICATORS Otf AGE. 



Of a deception practiced by sellers of two-year-old 

 foals, namely, passing off an early two-year-old for a 

 late three-year-old, Prof. Youatt says : 



" The age of all horses used to be reckoned from 

 May, but some are foaled as early as January. A two- 

 year-old foal of the latter date may, if it has been well 

 nursed and fed and has had its central nippers drawn 

 (that three or four months' time may be gained in the 

 appearance of the permanent), be sold at the former 

 date for a three-year-old. To horsemen, however, the 

 general form of the animal, the little development of 

 the forehand, the continuance of the mark in the divi- 

 der nippers, its more evident existence in the corner 

 ones, and some enlargement or irregularity about the 

 gums, from the violence used in forcing out the teeth, 

 are a sufficient security against deception/' 



And again of four-year-old foals: 



"Now, more than at any other time, will the dealer 

 be anxious to put an additional year upon the animal, 

 for the difference in strength, utility, and value be- 

 tween a four-year-old colt and a five-year-old horse is 

 very great. But the lack of wear in the central and 

 divider nippers, the small size of the corner ones, the 

 little growth of the tushes, the low forehand, the leg- 

 gin ess of the colt, and the thickness and little depth of 

 the mouth, will at once detect the cheat." 



The following is Prof. Youatt's description of crib- 

 biting and its effect on the teeth (" The Horse/' pp. 

 511,519): 



" The horse lays hold of the manger with his teeth, 

 violently extends his neck, and then, after some con- 



