A B C OF THE HORSE 69 



the lower teeth, and this constitutes a 

 " parrot mouth." A horse with such a 

 defect is naturally placed at con- 

 siderable disadvantage when feeding. 

 Horses, like human beings, frequently 

 suffer from diseases of the teeth, but 

 in the majority of cases these troubles 

 only arise during the early stage of 

 their careers, or when old age is 

 creeping on. The veterinary surgeon 

 of to-day combines the duty of dentist 

 with his other professional qualifications, 

 and it is no uncommon thing for an 

 animal to have the troublesome tooth 

 extracted, or a surface filed down. 



