Telling the age of the Horse.

Horowhenua Chronicle, 22 May 1913, Page 4

Telling the age of the Horse.

i There are four ways of telling the American Agriculturist—by hi* teeth, by his ribs, by the flesh on hia 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 but slowly. Old horses apparently have a wider and ore distinct space between their ribs than young horses, and, with age i 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 teeth first and then the permanent ones, the development of maturity, the change in shape on account of wear, . the coming 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 fire years to a sharp angle at twenty—all these are signs by which the experienced horseman can read accurately the age of a horse. It must be remembered that the permanent teeth abovo and be- ■ low, come in at the same time, but j that the cups above do not wear ' away until all the cups below arc gone. It must also be remember- : ed that changes begin at the centre, , and continue at the rate of one pair I year.