Chapter XIX. 



HOW TO TELL THE AGE. 



IT is sometimes very important to be able tp determine the age of 

 a horse ; and as this is indicated! most surely by the teeth, I have 

 had made, under my special supervision, a large proportion pf- 

 the illustrations here given, which will be found the fullest and most 



Fig. 872.— The Teeth. 



complete published in this country. I encountered very serious dif- 

 ficulties in obtaining these illustrations, as I found it next to impos- 

 sible to give the artist an idea of the changes occurring in the teeth 

 and form of the jaw with age, but they are as accurate as I could se- 

 cure. I have tried also to make 



the description so simple as to 



enable any ordinary person to 



determine the age of horses 



with considerable accuracy, or 



so nearly as to prevent ' being 



seriously imposed upon. In 



doing this, I have not hesitated 



to appropriate the language o 



pthers when adapted to ray 



purpose. 



At first the jaw is small,, and 

 to accommodate the position, temporary, or what is termed milk 

 teeth, are grown ; these are succeeded by permanent teeth, as the 

 jaws become larger and stronger. As the front teeth, or nippers, 

 only are usually studied to> note the changes which determine the 



(8X8) 



Fig. 373.— One 

 Week Old. 



Fro. 374.— Six Weeks. 



