PARTS TO BE EXAMINED FOR DETERMINATION OF AGE. 647 



The existence of these facts having been ascertained, the observer 

 releases the lips and prepares for the second step. 



Second Step. The left hand is applied upon the nose to prevent 

 the horse from advancing ; the right is introduced into the mouth and 

 seizes the tongue in the manner already indicated (Fig. 25). This 

 procedure must be executed with gentleness, as before stated, for the 

 brutal tractions exercised upon this organ are painful and often incite 

 resistance from the animal. 



It suffices, in most instances, to insert the index and middle fingers 

 into the interdental space and separate these two digits in order to cause 

 the animal to open his mouth ; the inferior lip is lowered with the 

 thumb as to the left hand, it is kept in position upon the nose. 



The observer must then fix his attention : 

 Upon the incisors of the two jaws. 

 Upon the canines. 

 Upon the molars. 



Relatively to the incisors he will observe : 



a. Their form and the details of their dental table. 



b. Their direction and their length. 



c. The state of freshness of the corners. 

 Concerning the canines, he will examine : 



a. Their freshness. 



b. Their degree of wear. 



c. Their direction and their length. 



Finally, the examination of the molars must be made upon the 

 two sides, the tongue being grasped by the left hand and the right 

 hand successively, to expose the corresponding arcades. With the 

 hand which remains free one or other commissure will be separated 

 outwardly. If the horse offers any resistance, he should be backed 

 into a corner and the head kept in an elevated attitude by an as- 

 sistant. 



This examination is important, for an abnormal condition of the 

 molars prevents the animal from masticating properly, which di- 

 minishes his vitality and his resistance to fatigue. It will reveal, 

 therefore : 



1st. The number of the molars and the dentition to which 



they pertain. 



2d. The state of their surface of friction. 

 3d. Their length and their direction. 



4th. Finally, the integrity of their substance, the state of the 

 gums and of the cheeks. 



