DENTAL INDICATIONS OF THE AGE OF A HORSE. 221 



During the long period which the horse is subjected 

 to teething, it is surprising how little the animal has suffered 

 from it, and hardly a day of his valuable services will have 

 been lost. In some instances heat and swelling of the gums 

 take place, but this can easily be removed by scarification. 

 Here then we have an example of the wisdom and perfec- 

 tion of the works of creation ; were the horse to suffer as 

 much as the human being, he would not be able to chew his 

 food for weeks, and must consequently fall off in flesh. 

 Dogs are liable to convulsions while cutting their teeth, and 

 many even die during this process. 



At seven years the marks in the four centre incisors are 

 worn out, and are speedily disappearing in the corner ones. 

 The tushes are now undergoing an alteration of form ; they 

 are rounded at the point and edges, but still inflated out- 

 wardly, and beginning to round inwardly ; the inner edge of 

 the corner teeth is on a level with the outer, in consequence 

 of wear. Sometimes a notch is observable in the upper 

 corner teeth. (See plate v. fig. 1.) 



At eight years old all the marks on the teeth of the lower 

 jaw will be obliterated, and will be on a level at the 

 surface ; their form is changed, they assume an oval shape, 

 and the cavity is altered into an elongated transverse pro- 

 trusion of enamel, which is the termination of the central 

 enamel, or funnel next the root. (Plate v. fig. 2.) After 

 this period it is the practice to examine the nippers of the 

 upper jaw, and to draw deductions as to the age of the 

 horse ; because, for years after the marks have become ob- 

 literated in the lower jaw, traces of them exist in the upper 

 jaw. This is in consequence of the enamel which occupies 

 the pit in the centre of the tooth not being elevated to a 

 level with the general surface, so that there is a greater depth 

 to be worn down in order to rub it off ; and besides, the 



