64 



THE HORSE. 



accurate representation of the nippers in the lower jaw of a two- 

 year-ohl colt. 



" About this period a fifth grinder will appear, and now like- 

 Fig. 5. wise, will commence another process. 

 The first teetli are adapted to the size 

 and wants of the young animal. They 

 are sufliciently large to occupy and fill 

 the colt's jaws, but when these bones 

 have expanded with the increasing 

 growth of the animal, the teeth are sep- 

 arated too far from each other to be 

 useful, and another and larger set is 

 required. The second teeth then be- 

 gin to push uj) from below, and the fangs of the first are ab- 

 sorhed^ until the former approach the surface of the gum, when 

 they drop out. Where the temporary teeth do not rise imme- 

 diately under the milk teeth, but by their sides, the latter being 

 pressed sideway are absorbed throughout their whole length. 

 They grow narrow, are pushed out of place, and cause inconve- 

 nience to the gums, and sometimes to the cheek. They are then 

 called wolfs teeth, and they should be extracted.* 



The teeth which first a])peared are first renewed, and therefore 

 the front or first grinders are changed at tlie age of two years. 

 Fig. 6. " During the period between the 



falling out of the central milk teeth 

 and the coming up of the perma- 

 nent ones, tlie colt, having a broken 

 mouth, may find some difficulty in 

 grazing. If he should fall away 

 considerably in condition, he should 

 be fed with mashes and corn, or 

 cut feed. The next cut, fig. 6, will 

 represent a three-year-old mouth. 

 "The central teeth are larger 

 than the others, with two grooves in the outer convex sur- 



* Note by Mr. Spooner. Although irregularities of the teeth sometimes occur, 

 as mentioned in the text, yet the wolf's teeth are generally two small supplement- 

 ary teeth appearing in front of the molar teeth ; and though supposed to have an 

 injurious eflect on the eyes, we have rarely, if ever, found that they produce any 



