THR PROCESS OF TEETHING. 197 



another and larger set is required. Evident provision is made for them, even be- 

 fore the colt is foaled. In cavities in the jaw, beneath the first and temporary 

 teeth, are to be seen the rudiments of a second and permanent set. These gra- 

 dually increase, some with greater rapidity than others, and, pressing upon the 

 roots or fangs of the first teeth, do not, as would be imagined, force out the former 

 ones, but the portion pressed upon gradually disappears. It is absorbed — taken 

 up and carried away, by numerous minute vessels, whose office it is to get rid of 

 the worn-out or useless part of the system. This absorption continues to pro- 

 ceed as the second teeth grow and press upwards, until the whole of the fang is 

 gone, and the crown of the tooth, or that part of it which was above the gum, 

 having no longer firm hold, drops out, and the second teeth appear, larger and 

 stronger and permanent. In a few instances, however, the second teeth do not 

 rise immediately under the temporary or milk teeth, but somewhat by their 

 side ; and then, instead of this gradual process of absorption and disappearance 

 from the point of the root upwards, the root being compressed sideways, 

 diminishes throughout its whole bulk. The crown of the tooth diminishes with 

 the root and the whole is pushed out of its place, to the fore part of the first 

 grinder, and remains for a considerable time, under the name of a wolf's toothy 

 causing swelling and soreness of the gums, and frequently wounding the checks. 

 They would be gradually quite absorbed, but the process might be slow and 

 the annoyance would be great, and, therefore, they are extracted. 



The change of the teeth commences in those which earliest appeared, and, 

 therefore, the front or first grinder gives way at the age of two years, and is 

 succeeded by a larger and permanent tooth. 



During the period between the falling out of the central milk nippers, and 

 the coming up of the permanent ones, the colt, having a broken mouth, may 

 find some difficulty in grazing. If he should fall away considerably in condi- 

 tion, he should be fed with mashes and corn, or cut meat. 



The next cut will represent a three-years-old mouth. The central teeth are 

 larger than the others, with two grooves in the outer convex surface, and the 

 mark is long, narrow, deep and black. Not having yet attained their full 

 growth, they are rather lower than the others. The mark in the two next 

 nippers is nearly worn out, and it is wearing away in the corner nippers. 

 Is it possible to give this mouth to an early two-years-old ? The ages of all 

 horses used to be reckoned from May, but some are foaled even so early as 

 January, and being actually four months over the two years, if they have 

 been well nursed and fed, and are strong and large, they may, with the inex- 

 perienced, have an additional year put upon them. The central nippers are 

 punched or drawn out, and the others ap- 

 pear three or four months earlier than 

 they otherwise would. In the natural 

 process, they could only rise by long 

 pressing upon, and causing the absorption 

 of, the first set. But opposition from 

 the first set being removed, it is easy 

 to imagine that their progress will be 

 more rapid. Three or four months will 

 be gained in the appearance of the teeth, 

 and these three or four months may 

 enable the breeder to term him a late 

 colt of a preceding year. To him, how- 

 ever, who is accustomed to horses, the 

 general form of the animal — the little de- . 



velopement of the fore-hand— the continuance of the mark on the next pair ot 

 nippers— its more evident existence in the corner ones, some enlargement or 



