AGE OF HUNTERS 



dition, it may be accepted as the best evidence 

 (apart from that of a positive nature) of a seven 

 year old. Trouble is likely to arise as to 

 whether a horse is seven or eight years, and 

 critical inspection, combined with practical 

 experience, constitutes the only really reliable 

 method of determining the point. At the latter 

 age, the tables of all the teeth show considerable 

 evidence of wear, and the " central mark " in 

 the " corner " incisors does not extend so much 

 across the tooth, as in a seven year old. By 

 the time the animal reaches twelve or fourteen 

 years, the " central mark " is usually obliterated, 

 if not, it is reduced to its minutest form. With 

 increasing age, the gums shrink, consequently 

 the teeth appear to be longer, and gradually 

 change from the perpendicular position, to one 

 of horizontal inclination, so that long teeth do 

 not indicate an aged hunter, but an old one^ or it 

 may be, a very old one, Sidney Galvayne's 

 method for ascertaining the approximate age of 

 old horses, comprises reference to a groove on 

 the face of the "upper corner incisors," just 

 where the tooth joins the gum, arising from the 

 receding of the latter. This groove is said to 



49 D 



