50 MANAGEMENT AND BREEDING OF HORSES 



young horses, size is the principal factor to be considered. 

 In old horses the joints become angular; the poll more 

 prominent; the sides of the face more depressed; the 

 hollows above the eyes deeper; the backbone becomes 

 more prominent and often strongly curved dovs^nward; 

 and the horse does not stand squarely on his legs, which 

 show much wear. White hairs make their appearance 

 around the temples, the eyes, the nostrils and elsewhere. 



Age by the teeth. — The order of the appearance of the 

 teeth and their method of wearing are considered the 

 most important and accurate means of estimating the age 

 of the horse, and are the means employed by all horse- 

 men. The teeth are not absolutely accurate, however, 

 as much depends on the condition as well as the in- 

 dividuality of the horse. The teeth of a horse with bones 

 of a somewhat open structure are likely to indicate that 

 he is older than he really is ; while the teeth of a horse 

 with bones of a fine close texture may indicate him to be 

 younger than he is. Again, the horse fed on soft and 

 succulent food is likely to show a younger mouth, 

 whereas one fed on hard, dry food is likely to show an 

 older mouth. 



The mature horse has 40 teeth, 20 on either jaw, divided 

 as follows : Six incisors, two canines, one on either side, 

 and 12 molars, six on a side. In the mare the canines 

 are usually absent. Since the incisor teeth are noted in 

 estimating age, they alone will be considered. It is the 

 order in which they make their appearance that enables 

 us to estimate the age up to five years and the manner in 

 which their surface is worn that aids us in the estima- 

 tion subsequently. 



The colt. — Soon after foaling, usually within two 

 weeks, the central pair of incisors make their appearance 

 in both upper and lower jaw; the second or intermediate 

 pair appear in from two to four weeks and the third pair 

 or corners make their appearance about the fifth or sixth 

 month of age. The difiference in size of the. jaw- 



