THE ANATOMY OF THE HORSE S3 



temporary teeth. At two years of age he gets four more 

 back molars, one on each side of each jaw. When the age 

 of two years and nine months is reached the two middle 

 teeth of the temporary incisors, or front teeth of each jaw, 

 fall out, and are replaced by two permanent incisors in each 

 jaw; thus at the age of three years these four permanent 

 incisors are up and in wear. At this age, the first eight 

 molars, two on each side of each jaw, are shed and replaced 

 by eight permanent molars. At four years of age he sheds 

 four more front teeth next to those shed at three years, and 

 these are replaced by four more permanent incisors or front 

 teeth. At this age, too, he shesls the four remaining tem- 

 porary molars or grinders, which are replaced by four more 

 permanent molars. He also gets four more permanent molars 

 at the back of the mouth. Thus at the age of four years the 

 colt has a full set of permanent molars, consisting of six on 

 each side of each jaw, making twenty-four in all. At five 

 years of age he sheds the four remaining temporary incisors 

 or front teeth, which are replaced by four permanent incisors, 

 known as the corner teeth. It is well to become familiar with 

 the time at which the colt sheds his different teeth, for some- 

 times the caps or shells of the teeth do not fall off when they 

 should. These should be watched, for they greatly interfere 

 with feeding and should be removed with a forceps. At five 

 years of age the canine or bridle teeth make their appearance ; 

 thus at the age of five years the colt has all his teeth or 

 what is known as a full mouth. 



VL TABLE OF THE TEETH. 



Incisors or Front Teeth. Molars or Grinders. 

 Agx. Temporary or Temporary or 



Milk Teeth. Permanent Milk Teeth. Permanent. 



The foal at or soon after birth 4 12 



The foal at nine weeks 8 12 



The foal at nine months 12 12 



The colt at one year 12 12 4 



The colt at two years 12 12 8 



The colt at three years 8 4 4 16 



The colt at four years 4 8 24 



The colt at five years 12 24 



At five years of age his bridle, or canine teeth make their 

 appearance. These are four in number; thus at the age of 

 five years a horse has a full mouth of teeth, numbering forty 

 in all. 



