416 CHAPTER 58. 



CHAPTER 58. 

 DENTITION, OR AGE AS INDICATED BY THE TEETH. 



861. Introduction. 865. Structural alterations in the Teeth. 866. Bach 

 Teeth, otherwise called Molars or Grinders. 867. Anterior Teeth or Incisors. 

 SC}S. Distinction hefween the Temporary and Permanent Incisors. 8(>9. 

 Temporary or in ilk Incisors. 870. Devi'Joj^ment of the Permanent Tetfh. 

 S70a. Drawing of MilJc Teeth. H7\. The Mark. S72. Bi.^hop-ing. 87;i. 

 The Fang-hole or Secondary Mark. 874. Further changes indicating thy 

 Age — Lateral breadth — Triangularity — Length — Slojye—loss of circularite 

 in form of the jaw, etc. 875. The Tusks. 876. Collateral circumstances 

 to he taken into consideration. 



864. Introdtiction. 



The principal guide to the age of the horse consists in the indications 

 given by the Teeth. 



We shall proceed to explain the changes which take place, more with 

 the view of enabling the reader to form a correct judgment in regard to 

 ajre, than of Cfivinfr a ireneral dissertation on the nature and structure of 

 the Teeth. 



865. Structural alterations in the Teeth. 



Structural alterations take place in the teeth every year from birth up 

 to the sixth year. Hence there can rarely be any question as to the real 

 age of a horse up to that date, though dealers often try to deceive the 

 unwary by various tricks. Such tricks are, however, easily detected. 



After the mouth is fully completed, the age can only be approximately 

 determined by the effect of wear in altering the shape of the teeth, by the 

 receding of the gums, and by other such signs. 



Many circumstances, however, often contribute to modify the effect of 

 wear on the teeth, and also to increase or decrease the action of time in 

 other respects. Hence, after six years old, a correct opinion can only be 

 formed by those who have given to the subject some time, thought, and 

 trouble. 



866. Of the Back teeth, otherwise called Molars or Grinders. 



The foal is born usually with two, sometimes with three, temporary 

 molars in each jaw. About twelve months old another molar, a perma- 

 nent tooth, appears, and before the completion of the second year a fifth 

 molar, also a permanent tooth, shows itself. 



About two and a half years old the two anterior temporary molars are 

 replaced by permanent teeth, and lietween three and four the remaining 



