C2 JUDGING HORSES 



incisors in the upper jaw ; at ten the marks in the next pair 

 in the upper jaw are about worn out and when eleven is 

 reached the tables have almost disappeared from the corner 

 pair of the upper row of incisors. Sometimes the teeth are 

 "bishoped," that is, marks are made in the teeth to repre- 

 sent tables thus making the horse appear to be younger 

 by the tables of its teeth. This treatment may always be 

 told from the unnatural appearance of the table as the 

 normal tooth always has a rim of enamel around the tables. 

 After a horse passes beyond the age mentioned it is a 

 difficult matter to make any further estimate with any de- 

 gree of certainty. As the age increases, however, the up- 

 per surface of the incisors appear more triangular and the 

 teeth spring from the jaw with a greater slope. 



vi. EXAMINATION FOR UNSOUNDNESS. 



89. A Blemish Different from Unsoundness. A blemish 

 is something that depreciates the value of a horse without 

 interfering with its usefulness. Such injuries as wire cuts 

 mar the appearance of a horse and are properly called 

 blemishes, while unsoundness include spavins, curbs, ring- 

 bones and all other diseases that lessen the usefulness of 

 a horse in its sphere. 



90. Decayed and Worn Teeth. In examining a horse 

 for unsoundness it is well to follow a regular order begin- 

 ning with the teeth. The best indication of decayed 

 teeth or any similar unsoundness of the mouth is the 

 odor that comes from it or attaches itself to the hand 

 on the introduction of the latter. If the outer edges of 

 the incisors are broken and worn away, it is an indica- 

 tion that the horse is addicted to "cribbing" in the 

 stable. 



91. Discharges from the Nostrils. The nostrils should 

 be of a fresh pink color somewhat moist but there should 

 be no discharge from them. If there is, glanders or dis- 

 temper may be suspected, which should lead to a trial of 

 the mallein test if there is any suspicion of the former. 



