n 



NATURAL HISTORY OF THE HORSE. 



nearly their full growth. A vacuity will be left where the 

 second stood, or they will begin to peep above the gum, and 

 the corner ones will be diminished in breadth^ worn down, and 

 the mark becoming small and faint. At this period, likewise, 

 the second pair of grinders will be shed. Previously to this 

 may be the attempt of the dealer to give to his three-year-old 

 an additional year; but the fraud will be detected by an ex- 

 amination similar to that already described. 



At four years, the central nippers will be fully developed ; 

 the sharp edge somewhat worn off, and the mark shorter, wider, 

 and fainter. The next pair will be up, but they wiU be small, 



with tlie mark deep and 

 ifc^i^^>j{^^>:ii^>a^ extendino; quite across 



them as in the annexed 

 cut. The corner nippers 

 '4^f' i will be larger than the in- 

 side ones, yet smaller than 

 they were, and flat, and the 

 mark nearly eflfaced. The 

 sixth grinders will have 

 risen to a level with the 

 others, and the tushes will 

 begin to appear. 

 Now, more than at any other time, will the dealer be anxious 

 to put an additional year upon the animal, for the difference 

 between a four-year-old colt and a five-year-old horse, in 

 strength, utility, and value, is very great; but the want of wear 

 in the other nippers, the small size of the corner ones, the little 

 growth of the tush, the smallness of the second grinder, the low 

 forehand, the legginess of the colt, and the thickness and little 



FOUR YEARS. 



