CHAPTER XVI. 



THE TEETH. 



Age as Indicated by the Teeth. 



Alterations in the teeth, classification of the teeth, tem- 

 porary TEETH, PERMANENT TEETH, PARROT MOUTH, BISHOP- 

 ING, etc. , ETC. 



^^THE principal guide in determing the age of a horse, up to the sixth 



\ /_ year, consists in the structural alteratives that take place in the 



teeth. The mouth of the horse at that age is said to become com- 



gN plete and thereafter the age can only be approximately determined 



by the effects of wear, in altering the shape of the teeth, by the receding 



of the gums and their characteristic signs. 



Many circumstances, however, often contribute to modify the effect of 

 wear on the teeth, and also to increase and decrease the action of time in 

 other respects. Therefore, after six years old, an approximately correct 

 opinion can only be formed by those who have given the subject some 

 attention, thought and trouble. 



Classification. The teeth in the anterior (front) part of the jaw 

 are called the incisors and are six in number in each jaw, when the 

 mouth is complete. In the males, in the intermediate rear of these, on 

 each side in each jaw, there is usually added one peculiarly pointed tooth 

 called a tusk. The back teeth are called molars or grinders and when 

 complete are twenty-four in number, twelve above and twelve below. A 

 supplementary molar known as a "wolf's tooth" sometimes appears in 

 either jaw. 



Back -teeth, or Molars or Grinders. At birth the foal usually 

 has two, sometimes three, temporary molars in each jaw. When about 



