HORSE. 



pearance of a six-year old horse can 

 rarely be given to one who has passed 

 his eighth year. The eighth year hav- 

 ing passed, it is difheult to decide on 

 the exact age of the horse. The in- 

 cisors of the upper jaw are then the 

 best guides. At nine years the mark 

 is said to be worn away from the 

 central teeth ; at eleven, from the 

 next pair ; and at twelve, from the 

 corner ones. The tush likewise be- 

 comes shorter and blunter. 



" There are many circumstances 

 which render a decision as to the 

 age of the horse very difficult after 

 the marks are effaced from the lower 

 incisors, and even before that period. 

 Horses always kept in the stable have 

 the mark much sooner worn out than 



those that are at grass, and it is im- 

 possible to form any calculation at all 

 as to crib-biters. 



" Of the age to which the horse 

 would naturally arrive it is impossible 

 to say anything satisfactory. Many 

 have exceeded thirty, and some of 

 them even forty years ; but, from ill- 

 usage and over-exertion, the majority 

 come to their end before they have 

 seen 15 years." 



" The various progressive changes 

 that take place in the appearance of 

 the teeth of horses at different ages, 

 from a few weeks old (marked a in 

 FlfT.) to 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 10, 12. 

 and 18 years, may be seen in the 

 following dental map, constructed by 

 Mr. Blaine." 



387 



