323 VETERLNAKY MEDIOINE AND SURGERY. 



may cause increased or diminished wear on the lower teeth, and also the 

 habits of the horse in the stable. The teeth of animals which bite at 

 the rack or manger whilst being cleaned, and horses addicted to " crib- 

 biting " invariably present appearances of wear beyond their real age. 



As the horse becomes old, the fulness of the chin under the mouth 

 disappears. The inferior margin of the branches of the bone of the 

 iovver jaw also become thin. Lastly, the general appearance of the 

 aged horse is much. influenced by the work he has done and the treat- 

 ment he has received. 



Age must not be judged by any one sign, but by a mean judiciously 



Six Years. EiKlit Years. Twelve Years. Old Age. 



Fio. 168. 

 The Alterations in the Tusks at Different Ages. 



struck between all the signs, and by a careful consideration of all collateral 

 circumstances. It never happens that all the signs combine together to de- 

 ceive a careful and well-informed observer. 



From these pages the reader will perceive that after six years old, i.e., 

 after the structural changes in the mouth are completed, it is impossible 

 to lay down any one single definite rule by which the age can be ascer- 

 tained. Still, with a little trouble and attention there is no real difficulty 

 in acquiring a knowledge of the horse's age up to a comparatively late 

 period of his life. 



Such a knowledge is always valuable to an intending purchaser. 

 Horses of eight or nine years old are still in their prime; but from want 

 of knowledge of the means of ascertaining the real age and from very 

 natural distrust of what the owner may tell them, the public are very shy 

 of buying such horses; and consequently they may generally be obtained 

 at prices below their real value. 



