6Q STABLE MANUAL AND HORSE DOCTOR 



process they could only rise by long pressing upon, and 

 causing the absorption of the first set. The first set 

 mechanically oppose their rising, and that opposition being 

 removed, it is asserted their progress will be more rapid. 

 Three or four months will be gained, and these three or 

 four months may enable the breeder to term him a late 

 colt of a preceding year. To the observer accustomed to 

 horses (although it is long practice alone which could give 

 this facility of judgment), the general form of the animal, 

 the little development of the forehand, the continuance of 

 the mark on the next pair of nippers, its more evident 

 existence in the corner ones, some enlargement or irregularity 

 about the gums from the violence used in forcing out the 

 teeth, the small growth of the first and fifth grinders, and 

 the non-appearance of the sixth grinder, which, if it is not 

 through the gum at three years old, is swelling under it, 

 and preparing to get through ; any or all of these circum- 

 stances, carefully attended to, will be a sufficient security 

 against deception. 



It is so unusual to look at the teeth in the upper jaw of 

 a young horse, that the dealer who wishes to give a false 

 appearance of age frequently confines his operation to the 

 lower jaw ; and, in consequence of this, when the teeth 

 of the lower jaw are thus made to push out, they are still 

 below the gum in the upper jaw, although in the natural 

 process they are cut a little sooner in the upper than in 

 the lower jaw. It may, therefore, be good and cautious 

 policy to examine both jaws. 



A horse, then, at three years old ought to have the 

 central permanent nippers growing — the other two pairs 

 wasting ; six grinders in each jaw, above and below — the 

 first and fifth m.olars level with the others, and the sixth 

 protruding. The sharp edge of the new incisors, although 

 it could not be well expressed in our drawing, will be very 

 evident when compared with the neighbouring teeth. As 

 the permanent nippers grow and press upon the teeth at 

 their side, those teeth will begin gradually to diminish. 

 Not only will the mark be wearing out, but the cix)wns of 

 the teeth will be considerably smaller. 



At Three Years and a Half, or between that and four, 

 the next pair of nippers will be changed, and the mouth 

 at that time cannot be mistaken. The central nippers 

 will have attained nearly their full growth ; a vacuity will 



