Telling the age of the Horse.

Horowhenua Chronicle, 3 May 1913, Page 4

Telling the age of the Horse.

There arc four ways of tolling the ago of a h0r50,... according to the Amorican Agriculturist—by hie teeth, by his ribs, by the flesh on hie tail, and by the skin on his cheek. In

young horse.the cheek skin is soft and elastic, and flies back quickly when raised; in an old one it is lifeless, and goes back hut slowly. Old horses apparently have a wider and more distinct space between their ribs than young horses, and, with age the flesh on tho tail shrinks, making the joints more distinct than they are on a young horse. Judging by the teeth is a more accurate method.

Tho coining of tho temporary teeth first and then the permanent ones, the development of maturity, the change in shape on account of wear, tho coining of the cups in the teeth, and their wearing away afterwards; and the change in the angle of the meeting of the teeth, from straight together at five years to a sharp anglo at twenty—all these are signs by which tho experienced horseman can read accurately, tho age of a horso. It must be remembered that the permanent teeth above and bolow, come '.n at the same time, but that the cups above do not wear away until all the cups below aro gone. It must also be remembered that changes begin at tho centre and continue at the rate of one pair year.