150 BEGINNINGS IN ANIMAL HUSBANDRY 



older teeth are also more worn off at the surface, and are 

 longer than the younger teeth. In horses from 12 to 16 

 years of age, the ends of the teeth become somewhat three- 

 sided. The following unique poem may assist some in 

 keeping clear in mind the changes which take place in the 

 mouth, by which the age of the horse may be decided. 



THE AGE OF THE HORSE IN VERSE.* 



Two middle nippers you behold 

 Before the colt is two weeks old; 

 Before eight weeks two more will come; 

 Eight months, the " corners " cut the gum. 



The outside grooves will disappear 

 From middle two in just one year; 

 In two years, from the second pair; 

 In three, the " corners," too, are bare. 



At two, the middle nippers drop; 

 At three, the second pair can't stop; 

 When four years old the third pair goes; 

 At five, a full new set he shows. 



The deep black spots will pass from view, 

 At six years, from the middle two; 

 The second pair at seven years; 

 At eight, the spots each " corner" clears. 



From middle nippers, upper jaw, 

 At nine the black spots will withdraw; 

 The second pair at ten are white; 

 Eleven finds the " corners" light. 



*Biggle's Horse Book, 1894, p. 115. 



