THE POINTS OF THE HORSE 



173 



Figure 48. — The age of the horse 

 as shown by the teeth. 18 

 months old. 



pounds, it might be one of several types. In Europe, the 

 height of the horse rather than his weight is looked upon as 

 of the most importance. 



The age of the horse is estimated by an examination of 

 the teeth. It requires some experience to be quick in rec- 

 ognizing the age, which may be 

 determined with fair accuracy 

 up to eight years, after which it 

 becomes a matter of guess work. 

 The following items are the im- 

 portant guides to age. 



The colt's teeth. Seven or 

 eight days after birth, two incisor 

 teeth appear at the front and 

 middle of both upper and lower jaws. In the course of 

 five or six weeks, two more teeth appear in each jaw, one 

 tooth coming in on each side of the two already present. 

 Some time between the sixth and ninth month, two more 

 appear, one by the side of each outer tooth. These six'pairs 

 are known as "nippers." They are the milk teeth, and are 

 but temporar5\ They are not all equally level with one 



another at first, but in the course 

 of twelve months or so they l)e- 

 come uniform on the surface. 

 The outside of the tooth is a 

 very hard, white enamel. This 

 covers a hard, ivorj^-like bone, 

 while at the center is a soft, bony 

 substance which more easily 

 wears awaj% but is constantly renewed. The ends of the teeth 

 have a ridged cutting surface, forming at the centers small 

 depressions, or "cups," marks by which the age is deter- 

 mined. The cups in the central pair of nippers at first are 

 dark of center; in the second year they begin to wear light 

 in color, and these cups become smaller than those of the 



Figure 49. — Teeth showing 2)^ 

 years of age. 



