226 WOLF TEETH. 



fectly chewed hay had been forced into the cavities formed at 

 the roots of some of the grinding teeth." The tooth-rasp 

 sometimes proves a perfect cure in such cases. 



WOLF TEETH. 



Very erroneous opinions are entertained by horsemen, and 

 even by veterinary surgeons, in reference to these teeth, and 

 various theories have from time to time been set afloat regard- 

 ing them, arising, for the most part, from a want of proper in- 

 vestigation. 



These teeth are natural to all horses, and make their appear- 

 ance between the first and fifth year. They are not supernu- 

 merary teeth, as has been stated by some writers, but are 

 natural teeth found in all colts. The germs of these teeth will 

 be found in the foal at birth, and developed in the jaw of the 

 yearling ready to make their way through the gums. In an 

 examination of at least one hundred heads of colts that have 

 died under eighteen months of age, the author has found in 

 every instance either natural wolf teeth, or the germs from 

 which they are developed. It is a mistaken idea, that these 

 teeth exert any influence <over the eyes. Nature never placed 

 them in their position for the purpose of injury. In cases where 

 the eye is supposed to be affected by them, it is simply neces- 

 sary to treat the eye for inflammation, and allow the teeth to 

 remain. As a general rule they do not remain in the jaw long 

 after being cut ; having performed their function, whatever it 

 may be, they fall out and are therefore seldom found. Their 

 removal can do no harm but it is an entirely unnecessary 

 operation. 



