HUNTERS 



about two years old, and are soon afterwards 

 replaced by the permanent ones, but not until 

 the colt is what is called two years " off", that is 

 two years and three months. The terms "off" 

 and "coming" are usually employed by horse- 

 men to indicate either, that the animal has 

 passed its birthday by about three months, or 

 else that it is approaching its birthday within a 

 similar period. The term "rising" is synony- 

 mous with "coming". In any case for these 

 terms to apply, the period would not have to 

 exceed six months. About two years and three 

 months, the central pair of temporary incisors 

 are shed, and replaced by \}ci^ first pair of per- 

 manent ones. Soon after the animal is two 

 years and a half, the new pair of teeth in 

 the upper and the lower jaw meet when the 

 mouth is closed, but it is not until two years 

 and nine months, or even the beginning of 

 the third year, that the tables of these teeth 

 show indications of wear. Shortly after the 

 animal has turned three years, say three years 

 and three months^ the same changes occur in the 

 " laterals," and again, at four years and three 

 months^ the "corners" are replaced, so that, 



46 



