Telling the age of the Horse.

Horowhenua Chronicle, 26 May 1913, Page 4

Telling the age of the Horse.

There are four ways of tolling the American Agriculturist—by hie teeth, by hia ribs, by the flesh on his 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 the flesh on tho tail shrinks, making the joints more distinct than thoy are on a young horse. Judging by the teeth is a more accurate method. The coming of the temporary teeth fust and then the permanent ones, tho development of maturity, the change in shape on account of wear, tho comiug of tho cupe in the teeth,and their wearing away afterwards; and the chango in the angle of tho mooting of the teeth, from straight together at five years to a eharp angle at twenty—all these are 6)gus by which tbo experienced horseman can road accurately the age of a liorco. It must bo remembered that the permanent teeth above and Below, come 'n at the same time, but that tho cups above do not wear away until all the cups below are gono. It must also bo remembered that changes begin at the centre, and continue at the rate- of one pair year.