554 PACES ; THEY DISCLOSE LAMENESS. [BOOK IV. 



and leave a small space between them ; which space 

 increases up to the fourteenth or fifteenth year, 

 when each tooth assumes an angular shape, and 

 projects forward, irregularly. In another year or 

 two the under lip hangs down, the jaw becomes 

 neaped and contracted, the gum recedes consi- 

 derably from the roots, and the shape of the teeth 

 is then of an oblong, but directly contrary to the 

 first. 



Moreover, the eyes of a horse approaching twenty 

 years wax yellowish, he winks much, and the inner 

 skin of his mouth turns outward. If naturally of a 

 grey or roan colour, the darker spots turn rusty, and 

 he is then what they term " flea-bitten :" gradually 

 he turns grey, beginning with the head and finishing 

 with the legs. 



LAMENESS 



Is not easy of detection, when the horse comes 

 from the hands of a dealer ; who of course makes 

 the best of him, and endeavours to inveigle our 

 judgment, and to throw obstacles in the way of ex- 

 amination. Perhaps, when a horse walks queerly, 

 or unaccountably odd, this should be sufficient cause 

 for rejection ; but, if he suits the purchaser's pur- 

 pose in other respects, we are usually induced to 

 look at him a little further, and this is the reason 

 that the seller always puts his tit upon the pace he 

 can perform best, commonly the gallop. All paces 

 are natural ones, except backing and cantering, 



