398 



THE TEETH OF THE HORSE 



Fig. 612. Incisors of Horse at four years 



Fig. 613. Incisors of Horse at five years 



pre- molar. The tusks in 

 the horse are also fre- 

 quently cut at four years, 

 although they are not well 

 developed until five. The 

 next two illustrations show 

 the condition of the molar 

 teeth at three years and 

 eight months (fig. 611), 

 and the state of the in- 

 cisors at four years (fig. 

 612). 



Thus, during the fourth 

 year of its life, the horse 

 has sixteen permanent 

 teeth advancing, and the 

 eruption is often com- 

 pleted by the end of the 

 year. In short, the per- 

 manent dentition is com- 

 pleted, excepting the 

 corner teeth, which are 

 changed for permanent 

 during the following year; 

 at five years old, there- 

 fore, the condition of the 

 front of the mouth will 

 correspond to the next 

 drawing (fig. 613). 



The corner tooth at 

 this age is distinguished 

 by a peculiar shell -like 

 appearance. The posterior 

 edge is considerably lower 

 than the anterior edge, 

 which is the only part of 

 the tooth on which the 

 effects of wear are appa- 

 rent. The tables of the 

 central and lateral incisors 

 are fully formed, the cen- 



