Section X.-THE TEETH OF THE HORSE 



NUMBER AND ARRANGEMENT 



In reference to their structure and arrangement, also as a means of 

 ascertaining the animal's age, more accurately at least than by any other 

 method, the teeth of the horse are peculiarly interesting. 



In the chapter on the horse of the present day and its fossil pro- 

 genitors, referring to the peculiar features in the conformation of the 

 horse, the special characters of the teeth will be described, and their 

 relation to the same organs in the earlier types of horse -like animal 

 commented on. 



For the present purpose it will only be required that the characters 

 of the different descriptions of teeth, and the changes which they undergo 

 in consequence of the wear to which they are subjected, should be noted 

 sufficiently to enable the horseman to form some opinion as to the animal's 

 ao;e. 



Number of Teeth. — When the dentition is completed at the age 

 of five years, the horse has six incisors or nippers in the front of the 

 mouth, in the top and bottom jaws, and six molars on each side, top and 

 bottom jaws. The three last of the row are true molars, the three in front 

 of them are distinguished as pre-molars. In addition, in front of the 

 anterior pre-molars on each side of the top jaw there is often seen a small 

 conical tooth, which, notwithstanding its insignificant appearance, is in the 

 popular view an organ of some importance. The term eye-teeth is generally 

 applied to these rudimentary organs, and it is believed, even by people 

 who ought to know better, that the presence of this tooth in some extra- 

 ordinary way is a cause of blindness, and in the case of a horse of three or 

 four or five years of age having any disease in the eyes, it is usual to look 

 in the animal's mouth in order to see if the eye-teeth, or, as they are some- 

 times called, " wolves' teeth ", are present. If so, they are immediately 

 removed by a somewhat primitive method of punching. An ordinary 

 punch, which is used for the preparation of nail holes for the horse's shoes, 

 and the shoeing hammer are found to be eff"ective instruments for the 



