THE HORSE 33 



Twelve back teeth have in most cases forced their 

 points by this time through the gums ; but it is 

 not until from two or three months afterward that 

 the four nippers appear ; in six weeks the nippers 

 are seen; and in about eight months the four 

 corner teeth. There are now, at eight or nine 

 months old, twenty-four teeth (upper and lower), 

 called foal-teeth. These are all changed by the 

 fifth or sixth year, and those that follow are 

 called horse-teeth. 



The back teeth appear as follows: the three 

 front double pair are seen at birth, and are after- 

 ward changed ; the fourth double pair appear 

 from the eighth to the ninth month (this fourth 

 double pair are the first that remain stationary, 

 and they are found in every year-old colt) ; the 

 fifth double pair, or fifth four, appear in the 

 second or third year; the sixth usually in the 

 fourth or early in the fifth year. These three 

 double pairs of back teeth (last named) remain 

 unchanged, as do also the four hook teeth. 



The hook teeth are uncertain as to appearance, 

 coming sometimes at the end of the third year, 

 sometimes in the middle or at the end of the 

 fourth, sometimes in the middle or at the end of 

 the fifth, sometimes at the beginning of the sixth. 



