Telling the age of the Horse.

Horowhenua Chronicle, 6 May 1913, Page 4

Telling the age of the Horse.

There are four ways of telling the age of a horse, according to the American Agriculturist—by his teeth, by his libs, by the flesh on his tail, and by the skin on his cheek. In young horee tho cheek skin is soft and clastic, and flies back quickly when raised; in an old one it is lifeless, and goes back but slowly. Old horsee apparently have a wider and inoro distinct 6pace between tiieir ribs than young horses, and, with ago tiie flesh on the tail shrinks, making the joints more distinct thas thoy are on a young horse. Judging by the teeth is a more accurate method. Tho coining of the temporary feoth first and then the permanent ones, tho development of maturity, the change in shape on account of woar, tho coming of the cups in the teeth, and their wearing away afterwards; and the change in tho angle of the meeting of the teeth, from straight together at five years to a sharp angle at twenty—all these are signs by which the experienced horseman can road accurately the age of a horse. It must be remembered that the permanent teoth above and below*, come in at' the same time, but that the cups above do not wear away until all. the cups below arc gone. It must also be remembered that changes begin at the centre, and continue at the rate of one pair year.