SOUND AND UNSOUND HORSES 



their incisors grooved, it is only a specu- 

 lative means of judging an aged or old 

 horse. 



TUSKS (WHEN PRESENT) AS 

 EVIDENCE OF AGE. 



It is not advisable to place much 

 reliance upon the tusks as indicators of 

 age, though reference to them (if 

 present) may be of some assistance 

 taken along with other evidence. In 

 Shetland mares the tusks are com- 

 monly present, and as well developed 

 as in the horse. 



It is usually about the fourth year 

 that they " show up," becoming blunted 

 at seven years, more so at eight. At 

 six years they are sharp, and their inner 

 surfaces hollow. 



MOLARS. 



It is rather singular that so few 

 veterinary surgeons refer to these teeth. 



I 22 



