CHAPTEE XIT. 



AGE, AS INDICATED BY THE TEETH. 



Structural alterations, Back Teeth, or Molars or Grinders, Anterior teeth or In- 

 cisors, Distinction between the Temporary and Premanent Incisors, Temporary 

 or Milk Incisors, Development of the Permanent Teeth, The Mark, Pan-ot Mouth, 

 Bishop-ing, The Fang-hole or Secondary Mark, Further changes indicating the 

 Age, Lateral breadth. Triangularity, Length, Slope, Loss of circularity in form 

 of the jaw, etc.. The Tusks, Collateral circumstances to be taken into conside- 

 ration. 



The principal guide to the age of the horse consists in the indications 

 given by tlie teeth. 



The following pages explain the changes which take place, so as to en- 

 able the reader to form a correct judgment in regard to age. 



Structural alterations take place in the teeth every year from birth 

 up to the sixth year. Hence there can rarely be any question as to the 

 real age of a horse up to that date, though dealers often try to deceive the 

 unwary by various tricks. Such tricks are, however, easily detected. 



After the mouth is fully completed, the age can onlj he ap2}^oximaiely 

 determined by the effect of wear in altering the shape of the teeth, by the 

 receding of the gums, and by other such signs. 



Many circumstances, however, often contribute to modify the effect 

 of wear on the teeth, and also to increase or decrease the action of time 

 in other respects. Hence, after six years old, an approximately correct 

 opinion can only be formed by those who have given to the subject some 

 time, thought, and trouble. 



Back teeth, or Molars or Grinders. — The foal is born usually with 



two, sometimes with three, temporary molars in each jaw. About twelve 



months old another molar, a permanent tooth, appears, and before the 

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