The Lancaster ledger. [volume] (Lancaster, S.C.) 1852-1905, 1853-05-25

The second period is from ten months to
two and half years. At one year Of age
all the incisors have appeared and are we'll
up, but no wear can be discovered. The
first permanent molar makes its appearance
at the age of'one year. At eighteen months
of age the second permanent molar appears,
and the horse has then five molars At two
years of age some signs of wear appear.
The third period extends from two and
half years to five years. At two and half
Years of age the permanent incisors make
their appearance in pairs, and the teeth be-
come firmly set. AT three years of age, the
two middle permanent incisors make their
appearance, and are readily distinguished
fr"m the milk teeth by their form, size and
color, being darker and larger The two
first milk molars are shed, and their plnces
are supplied by two permanent molars. We
have then four permanent and one milk grind
or. At four years Of age, two lateral incis-
ors appear, and there are then four pcrma-
nent incisors in each jaw. The third milk
molar is shed, and six pc mancnt molars arc
the distinguishing ci iaractcristics of the four
year.old horse. At two years and n half,
the two corner milk incisors are lost, and
until the horse is five years Of age, no corner
teeth are visible. AT this latter age, how
ever, two permanent teeth supply the gap.
The fourth period extends from FIVE to
eight years of age, and is characterized by n
full set of molars and incisors. The mouth
appears of n semi-circular form; rs age
comes on, this form is lost, and the Jaws
grow fiattcncd. The tuscors appear between
the age of three and five years, but are ir-
regular and canno, be depended on. The
ncisors gradually become worn, the middle
tooth first showing the wear, and then the
next anterior, and then the corner, precisely
in the order in which they are cut. At six
years of age the corner incsors are on level
with the Others.
The tusks are usually well UP dt five
years, and always at six years of age.
scrcn-ycar horse may be distinguished by
the corner tooth in the upper jaw, which is
worn so rs to attract attention, there being
quite an indcntation. AT eight years of age
the horse has Il perfect and mature mouth,
which has every appearance of being finished,
all the teeth being of a strong and pcrma-
ncnt character.
After that age, the English say that no
reliance can be placed on these signs to de-
eide the age of horse. The French, how
ever, 60 farther, and say they can Judge un-
I'll the animal is twenty years of age. Con-
lectures may be made, but probably nothing
permanent can be known.
The fifth period extends from eight to
twelve years, and is distinguished by the ap.
pearance OF the form of the tables of the
teeth.
The sixth period extends from thirteen
years to sixteen years, and is distinguished
by the triangular form of the incisors. A
si2tccn-year horse may be known bv the
projection of his tongue and the large guam
tty Of saliva which runs easily from his
mouth. The incisors also assumes u hori-
zontal position.
The seventh period extends from the six
tccnth year to death, and is characterized b.
the ilattened appearance of the teeth, and
the projection of the upper jaw over the
lower, so as almost 10 hide the lower incis-
ors. Great study and attention is necessary,
in order to be able to distinguish the age of
the horse.
There are many tricks res ,rted by horse
dealers to deceive purchasers with regard TO
the age of animals. In Europe the milk
teeth are often extracted with a view Of has,
tcning the growth of the permanent set
This process, however, is dangerous one,
rs the milk teeth are often broken of in the
operation, and the growth is then much re-
tarded.
His aiso an aftlnce sometimes empioyed
to mark the teeth with a hot iron. This de-
ceit, however, is easily detected. The lee.
turer narrated an instance of a man who
paid high price {, r what he supposed to
be iivc-yearsold horse. The animal was
actually twenty years of age, but the man
could not be convinced, rs he could point
out the five year-old rIarks. The marks.
however were those of hot iron. The
teeth are also sometimes filed down tor-e
vent persons from discovering their protec-
tion of age.
A horses teeth should never condemn
him, for appearances are aften deceitful; and
If the animal is sound, has firm limbs, and
exhibits no signs Of two early. too long or
too great exertion, he may safely be pur-