ELEMENTS OF HIPPOLOOY. 



39 



Figure 28. 



An Abnormal Mouth — Mark Clearly Visible in All 

 the Teeth at Twelve. 



Having applied all these tests, reconcile all discrepancies as 

 nearly as may be and make the estimate modestly, remembering 

 that to be cock-sure in an estimate of a horse's age from the ev- 

 idence of his teeth alone, is a sign of ignorance. 



Figures 16 and 28 show the front view and the view of the 

 tables of a horse known to be twelve at the time the photograph 

 was taken. He was a restless horse, who objected to a scrutiny 

 of his mouth, and the first hasty glance at the tables showed all 

 the marks present and the wall of the corner teeth fully grown 

 up. An observer, satisfied with that evidence alone, might say 

 once, "Six years old"; but a more careful look at the shape 

 of the tables would render that estimate very doubtful, while a 

 single glance at the stained and chipped exterior, covered with 



