Grooming and Care of the Teeth 365 



and if at the heel three to five months, depending 

 somewhat on the length of the hoof. 



Care of the coifs teeth. — The teeth of the grow- 

 ing colt should be watched closely to see that they 

 appear regular and uniform. Soon after foaling, 

 or usually within two weeks, the central pair of 

 incisors makes its appearance in both the upper 

 and lower jaws ; the second or intermediate pair 

 appears in two to four weeks, and the third pair or 

 corners makes its appearance about the fifth or 

 sixth month of age. Colts often suffer from teeth- 

 ing and it is very important that they receive extra 

 attention at this time or they will run down in 

 flesh. Because of the increasing size of the colt's 

 jaws, at about two years and nine months of age 

 the central pair of milk teeth is replaced by per- 

 manent ones in both the lower and upper jaw ; at 

 about three years and nine months the intermediate 

 pair is replaced, and at about four years and nine 

 months the corner pair of milk teeth is replaced by 

 the permanent ones. It is very important that 

 the teeth be closely observed at this time, as the 

 first or milk teeth often persist, causing the second 

 or permanent teeth to grow in crooked or irregular. 

 To avoid this, the persistent milk teeth should be 

 removed with forceps. 



The upper jaw of the horse is somewhat wider 

 than the lower and the teeth are not exactly op- 

 posite, thus the wear is not equally distributed and 



