122 ESSAYS ON HORSE SUBJECTS 



Nature's method of keeping the teeth of normal 

 dimensions is by the wear they experience during 

 grinding. If from any cause this wear does not 

 take place throughout all the grinding surface, 

 irregular projections form, and are most apt to 

 be found on the outer ridge of the upper rows 

 of grinders and on the inner of the lower ones. 

 These projections are liable to interfere with 

 mastication to a degree proportionate to their 

 size, and sometimes cut and abrade the cheeks 

 and tongue. When the mouth is in such a con- 

 dition, it will be much benefited by proper at- 

 tention. The owner, however, should not be mis- 

 led by traveling dentists into thinking that all 

 horses' teeth require attention. The dentist 

 points out the projecting ridges on the outside 

 of the upper rows and on the inside of the lower 

 ones, and makes the owner believe this to be an 

 abnormal condition. Some owners seem to think, 

 or are made to think, that the grinding surfaces 

 should be level from side to side, instead of 

 beveled, as nature made them. 



In addition to the tendency to injurious pro- 

 jections on the grinders, as already described, we 

 not infrequently find on the front part of the 

 first upper grinders and on the back part of the 

 last lower ones, prominences of considerable size. 

 These are found generally in horses with "parrot 

 mouths," or what are sometimes called "overshot 



