396 



THE TEETH OF THE HORSE 



In the two following figures the appearance of the incisors and molars 

 at two years old is shown (figs. 607, 608). 



Any question which may arise as to the distinction between one and 



two years is settled at once by re- 

 ference to the molar teeth. Shortly 

 before two years of age a fifth 

 permanent molar begins to prick 

 through the gum, and at the com- 

 pletion of the second year the erujJ- 

 tion is nearly j)erfect, as shown in 

 fig. G07. 



The colt has now a full set 

 of temjjorary incisors in front of 

 the mouth, tojD and bottom, all of 

 them shovvino- a vear's wear on 

 the surface, with three pre-molars 

 (temporary) on each side, top and 

 bottom, and two true molars (per- 

 manent) on each side, top and 

 bottom. 



Changes which occur in the teeth up to the age of five years will 

 include the falling of the temporary organs and their replacement by 

 permanent teeth, the cutting of the tusks in the horse, and the erup- 

 tion of two molars — the third and sixth in situation. 



Fig. 60S. —Incisors of Cart Filly at two years 



ERUPTION OF THE PERMANENT TEETH 



When it is stated that between two and five years the change from 

 temporary to permanent teeth is effected in regard to twenty-four temporary 

 teeth, it will be apparent that the process is conducted with considerable 

 rapidity; in fact, a large instalment of the total takes place during the third 

 year of the animal's life, in which period four incisors and eight molar teeth 

 are changed for permanent teeth. 



Soon after two years the red and depressed condition of the gum round 

 the ujjper central temporary incisors indicates that the teeth are being 

 pushed out of their place by the permanents growing underneath them. 

 These signs are c^uickly followed by similar signs in the lower temporary 

 incisors, and by two years and a half the four permanent organs are usually 

 cut, and the mouth presents a very peculiar and characteristic appearance. 

 At three years old the four incisors are usually fully developed, as shown 



