140 



THE HORSE. 



At two years all this will be more manifest. The accompanying cut 

 deserves attention, as giving an accurate representation of the nippers in 

 the lower jaw of a two year-old colt. 



About this period a fifth grinder will push 

 out, and now, likewise, will commence ano- 

 ther process. The first teeth are adapted 

 to the size and wants of the young animal. 

 They are sufficiently large to occupy and 

 to fill the colt's jaws ; but when the jaws 

 are expanded with the increasing growth of 

 the animal, the teeth are separated too far 

 from each other to be useful, and another 

 and larger set is required. Evident provi- 

 sion is made for these, even before the colt is 

 foaled. In cavities in the jaw, beneath the 

 first and temporary teeth, are to be seen the 

 rudiments of a second and permanent set. These gradually increase, and 

 some with greater rapidity than others, and pressing upon the roots or 

 fangs of the first teeth, the consequence of this pressure is, not that the first 

 teeth are forced out, but the portion pressed upon gradually disappears ; 

 it is absorbed — taken up, and carried away, by numerous little vessels, 

 whose office it is to get rid of the worn out or useless part of the system. 

 This absorption continues to proceed as the second teeth grow and press 

 upon their predecessors, until the whole of the fang is gone, and the crown 

 of the tooth, or that part of it which was above the gum, having no longer 

 firm hold, drops out, and the second teeth appear, larger and stronger, 

 and permanent. In a few instances, however, the second teeth do not rise 

 immediately under the temporary or milk teeth, but somewhat by their side ; 

 and then, instead of this gradual process of absorption and disappearance 

 from the point of the root upwards, the root being compressed sideways, 

 diminishes throughout its whole bulk ; the crown of the tooth dimi- 

 nishes with the root ; and the whole is pushed out of its place, to the fore- 

 part of the first grinder, and remains for a considerable time, under the 

 name of a wolf's tooth, causing swelling and soreness of the gums, and 

 frequently wounding the cheeks. These would be gradually quite absorbed, 

 but the process might be slow and the annoyance would be great ; and 

 therefore it is proper to get rid of these diminutive teeth, either by punch- 

 ing them out, or drawing them as soon as they are perceived. 



This change of teeth commences in those which earliest appeared, and, 

 therefore, the front or first grinder gives way at the age of two years, and 

 is succeeded by a larger and permanent tooth. Now, likewise, seriously 

 commences, in too many cases, the roguery of horse-dealers and breeders. 

 A colt rapidly increases in value, as his age and growth increase. A three- 

 year-old colt is worth twenty-five per cent, more than a two-year-old one ; 

 and if a dealer has a strong and likely colt, that was dropped early in the 

 year, and whose form and points might deceive the unwary, he is anxious 

 to pass him if he can for a three-year-old. To accomplish this, he nmst 

 give him a three-year-old mouth; and between two years and a half and 

 three years, the two middle nippers are displaced, and succeeded by two per- 

 manent teeth. 



During the period between the fiilling out of the central milk nippers, 

 and the coming up of the permanent ones, the colt, having a broken mouth, 

 may have some difficulty in grazing. If he should fall away considerably 

 in condition, he should be fed with mashes and corn, or cut meat. 



