of the Horse. y 



There are in eacli jaw six incisors, or fore-teeth, followed 

 on either side by a tush, which is generally deficient in 

 mares, especially in the lower jaw. Next comes a series 

 of six grinders on each side in both jaws ; these teeth have 

 a square crown, marked with four crescents, formed by 

 the lam'uue of enamel which are embedded on them. 

 Between the tushes and the grinders there is a considerable 

 space called the bar, which corresponds to the angle of 

 the lips ; and it is in this interval that the bit is placed. 



a, Incisors 



Fig. i. — Dentition of the Adult Horse. 

 />, Tushes or Canines, c, Interval called the Bar. d t Molars. 



It is also by means of the teeth that we are enabled to 

 know a horse's age — a knowledge which is of the highest 

 utility ; for a horse increases in value in proportion as he 

 approaches maturity, again decreasing in worth as he be- 

 comes older. Up to nine years the age can be determined 

 pretty accurately by means of the changes which take place 

 in the teeth. 



The foal, at its birth, is usually devoid of teeth in the 

 front of the mouth, and has only two grinders on each side 

 in each jaw (Fig. 2). At the end of a few days, the two 

 middle fore-teeth, ox pincers, make their appearance. In 

 the course of the first month a third grinder shows itself, 

 and in four months more the two next fore-teeth also 

 emerge ; within six and a half or eight months the side 

 incisives, or corner teeth, show, and also a fourth grinder. 

 At this period the first dentition is complete. The 



