Telling the age of the Horse.

Horowhenua Chronicle, 19 May 1913, Page 4

Telling the age of the Horse.

There are four ways of telling the American Agriculturist—by hia teeth, hy hia ribs, by the flesh on his tail, and by tho 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 but slowly. Old horses apparently have a wider and ore distinct space botwecn their ribs than young horses, and, with age the flesh on the tail shrinks, making

the joints more distinct than they are on a young horse. Judging by the teeth is a more accurate method. The coming of the temporary tooth first and then tho permanent ones, tho development of maturity, the change in shape on account of wear, tho coming of the cups in the teeth, and their wearing away afterwards; and the change in the anglo of tie | 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 the ago of a horse. It must be remembered that tho pormnnent teeth abovo and helow, come in at tho same time, but that tho cups above do not wear away until all tho cups below are gone. It must also bo romember<xl that changes begin at tho centre, and continue at the rate of one pair year.