44 



« 



The horse fitted in this square measures far more in length than in 

 height, the lines 1, 2, 3, 4, are equally long; the total length (C, T),) shows 

 the harmonious proportion between forehand [E, D.] and hindhand 

 [C,E,]. 



The length of the shoulder [N, O,] reaches far below the knee, the 

 length of shoulder and forearm (K, L,] together surpass the length of 

 the extremities, [L, <5W,]- 



The forearm [6] and the femur [5] have the proper position and the 

 desirable height is marked by the line 8-9. 



THE HORSES AGE. 



Closely connected with the anatomy of the horse, is the doctrine of 

 the horses age, ascertained by the appearance, condition and changes 

 of the teeth. 



A mere theoretical learning, even a most thorough one, will in no 

 instance suffice to give a clear conception, of how the horses age can be 

 ascertained, with any degree of certainty ; but a careful practical ob- 

 servation, in connection with the former, will enable us to tell the age 

 of the horse correctly, at least tip to the time when the horse is so old, 

 that a few years more or less, would neither add to, nor deduct from 

 its value or usefulness. 



The number of teeth in the full grown horse are 40: Upper jaw; 

 incisors 6 [2 nippers, 2 middle teeth, 2 corner teeth, 2 tusks and 12 

 molars. Lower jaw; the same. The mare lacks the four tusks, or 

 possesses them only in a rudimentary state. 



In speaking of the age we shall not mention the molars. 



The incisors appear first in the shape of the milk tooth which 

 is of a regular conical formation and has almost in the centre a narrow 

 contraction called the neck, they are whiter and smaller than the horse 



teeth. 



The colt is born with or receives in the course of two weeks after 

 birth, the nippers ; in four or six weeks the middle teeth and in four to 

 six months the corner teeth. 



At the age of one half year the jaw of the colt is full. At one year 

 the edges of all incisors are partly worn by friction and the inner edge 

 of the corner teeth alone remain uninjured. At two years the mark of 

 the nippers and middle teeth are worn down and at the age of two and 

 one half years the teeth begin to change. 



The marks or cups in the horse tooth are of a depth of three lines in 

 the lower jaw, and of six lines in the upper jaw. One line of which is 

 worn off each year from the time when the tooth comes into friction. 



With 2 1-2 years, the horse nippers -break -through and come into 

 friction at 3. "With 3 1-2 years the middle teeth break through and come 

 into friction at 4. With 4 1-2 years the corner teeth appear and come into 

 friction at five. At this age the horses jaw is full; the tusks making 

 their appearance between the 4th and 5th year. 



At 6 years the marks in the nippers of the lower jaw, have disap- 

 peared. At 7 the middle teeth of the lower jaw have lost their marks. 

 At 8 the corner teeth in the lower jaw are without marks. 



