TIIK PEOCESS OF TEETIIIXG. 



2'25 



tliey could only rise by long pressing upon, and causing the absorption of 

 tlie first set. But opposition Ironi the first set being I'enioved, it is easy to 

 imagine that their progress will be more rapid. Three or four months 

 Avill be gained in the appearance of the teeth, and these three or four 

 months may enable the breeder to term him a late colt of a preceding year. 

 To him, however, who is accustomed to horses, the general form of the 

 animal — the little development of the fore-hand — the continuance of the 

 mark on the next pair of nippers — its more evident existence in the 

 corner ones, some enlargement or irregularity about the gums from the 

 violence used in forcing out the teeth — the small growth of the first and 

 fifth grinders and the non-appearance of the sixth grinder, which, if it is 

 not through the gum at three years old, is swelling under it, and preparing 

 to get through — ^any or all of these circumstances, carefully attended to, 

 will be a sufficient security against deception. 



A horse at three years old ought to have the central permanent nippers 

 growing — the other two pairs wasting — six grinders in each jaw, above 

 and beloAV — the first and fifth level with 

 the others and the sixth protruding. The 

 sharp edge of the new incisors, although 

 it could not be well expressed in the cut, 

 will be very evident when compared with 

 the neighbouring teeth. 



As the permanent nippers wear, and 

 continue to grow, a narrower poi'tion of 

 the cone-shaped tooth is exposed to the 

 attrition, and theylook as if they had been 

 compressed, but it is not so. The mark, 

 of course, gradually disappears as the pit 

 is worn away. 



At three years and a half, or between 

 that and four, the next pair of nippers 

 will be changed, and the mouth at that time cannot be mistaken. The 

 central nippers will have attained nearly their full growth. A vacuit}'' 

 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, antl 

 the mark becoming small and faint. At this period, like^v'ise, the second 

 pair of grinders will be shed. Previously to this may be the attempt of the 

 dealer to give to his three-years-old an additional year, but the fraud will be 

 detected by an examination similar to that which has been 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 will be small, 

 with the mark deep, and extending 

 quite across them. The corner nippers 

 will be larger than the inside ones, yet 

 smaller than they were, and flat, and the 

 mark nearly effaced. The sixth gi-inder 

 will have risen to a level with the others, 

 and the tushes will begin to appear. 



Now, more than any other time, will 

 the dealer be anxious to put an additional 

 year upon the animal, for the difference 

 between a four-years-old colt and a five- 

 years-old-horse, in strength, utility and value, is very great ; but, the want 

 pf wear in the other nippers — the small size of the corner ones — the little 



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