DISEASES AND TREATMENT OF THE HOESE. 81 



SPLIT TEETH. 



The teeth that become split are generally the molars or 

 grinders on the upper side of the mouth, though, in some cases, 

 it might occur in the lower jaw. If the split tooth occurs in the 

 under jaw the split part is generally found on the inside of the 

 tooth and i*urned in against the tongue. If it is one of the 

 grinders on the upper jaw the split part is on the outside and 

 turns out and cuts the cheek. 



Causes. — Generally from getting some hard substance into the 

 mouth and grinding heavily on it, such as a nail or stone. 



. Symptoms. — The animal can scarcely eat, seems very much 

 afraid when you go to handle his mouth, and will sometimes jerk 

 back. If you run your hand along the upper jaw on the outside 

 where the tooth is split and turned out it will be very sore, and 

 the animal will jerk his head away when you press over the tooth. 

 In eating he is noticed to fumble his food around in his mouth, 

 and after having it in a few minutes he will throw it out half 

 chewed, stop a few minutes, and then try to eat some again. 

 Place a twitch on the horse's nose and proceed to examine the 

 mouth by drawing the tongue out with one hand and holding the 

 cheek back with the other and look carefully back along the 

 grinders, and if the split is in the upper side of the jaw you will 

 see it worked out, and, in some cases, stuck into the cheek. If 

 the split tooth is in the under jaw you will find the split part stuck 

 into the tongue. 



Treatment. — After you have found where the split tooth is, it 

 is easily treated by taking hold of the split piece with the forceps 

 and pulling it out, which is not hard to do in most cases. Then 

 take a float or tooth rasp and run it along that side, and if there is 

 any sharp teeth smooth them off. If the horse is very thin 

 follow up with tonic powders. 



HANGING THE TONGUE OUT OF THE MOUTH. 



This is not a disease, but a miserable habit, and if it is once 

 formed you cannot cure it. 



Cause is generally from the teeth getting sharp and cutting 

 the tongue, or from some injury to the tongue. 



Symptoms. — At the first start of this habit the horse just holds 

 the end of the tongue between his teeth while he is at his work. 

 After a time it becomes worse, and while the bit is in his mouth 

 the horse hangs his tongue out three or four inches on either side. 



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