486 



TEETH OF THE HORSE. 



grass; and those fed on gritty pastures still faster. As answering 

 all the purposes necessary to the information desired to be conveyed. 

 Fig. 1 correctly shows the mouth of the colt at three years of age. 



At this age, the mouth presents the appearance shown above, 

 the development of the teeth varying somewnat in different horses. 

 In four or six months, after this age, one of the nippers falls out 

 on each side, and a permanent tooth appears in its place. The cor- 

 ner nippers are also much worn, and the mark in them has nearly 

 disappeared. At four years of age, the following changes will be 

 observed, from the appearance of the mouth as shown in the cut 

 (Fig. 1). The central nippers will have begun to lose their sharp 



Figure 2. 



Mouth at Four and a Half Years. 



edges, and be considerably more grown. The next nipper, on each 

 side, will be grown almost to its full size, with its edges very sharp, 

 and the mark deep and plain. The corner milk nippers will still 

 remain, unless they have been removed, which is sometimes done 

 to hasten the growth of the permanent teeth, and to make the horse 

 appear older than he really is, by four or five months. 



As shown in the cut (Fig. 2) between four and a half and five 

 years, the corner nippers fall out and the tusks, or canine teeth, 

 come through the gum. 



The number of teeth in a horse's mouth is complete at five 

 years of age. The incisors present the appearance as shown at 

 Fig. 3, modified as to wear, if nard food has been given or if the colt 

 has been fed on gritty pastures. 



