CHAPTER VII. 



THE AGE OF THE HOESE AS SHOWN BY THE TEETH. 



The examination of the teeth of the horse is a 

 simple matter, but perhaps a few remarks upon 

 the way to go about it will not be out of place 

 to the uninitiated. 



To inspect the incisors, all that is required is 

 to separate the lips; but some horses are 

 naturally shy when their mouths are touched 

 by strangers. These animals should be handled 

 with the greatest carefulness and caution. If 

 restiveness is shown to any extent, let the groom 

 in charge, who probably knows the horse, part 

 the hps, and the examiner can then quietly and 

 without trouble note the appearance of the 

 teeth. If the groom be a stranger to the horse, 

 and the animal seems inclined to be nervous, 

 the neck should be patted and the face and nose 



