belly of an old horse generally falls in, and 

 assumes the shape of a cow's ; and at the same 

 time he becomes hollow about the kidneys. 



However good their condition, the anus of an 

 old horse shrinks considerably -, which is occa- 

 sioned by the falling in of his belly. The yard 

 of a young horse, as well as tlie sheath, is very 

 small, but that of an old horse is the reverse. 



If a horse carries his age well, has a firm 

 mouth, bends his knee properly, has never 

 been down, and has good action, a year or 

 two in his age makes but little difference; for 

 a good horse is better at ten years of age than 

 one that is naturally bad at seven. With care, 

 some horses will be serviceable till they are 

 seventeen or eighteen years old. 



To the external signs above mentioned may 

 be added the dryness and roughness of his 

 hair. The hair of a young horse, if he be in 

 good condition, will always be sleek, because 

 the v/armth of youth, and the abundance of 

 animal juices, afford it sufficient nourishment; 

 but the hair of old horses is rough, for the 

 want of those juices. 



The upper teeth of aged horses almost al* 

 ways project over the under ones j the reason 



