LAMPASS.
The lampass is a swelling of the gums on the inner side of the upper jaw, to which young horses are mostly subject, and sometimes suffer considerably before it is discovered.
In some cases the swelling will subside without further medical treatment than administering a few alteratives, and feeding on bran mashes, but should this fail it will have to be cured by cutting across the bars with a lancet or pen-knife. If, however, it returns in three or four months after this operation, which it sometimes does, take a sharp, flat piece of iron, a little crooked at one end, heat it and burn out the disease a little below the level of the teeth, being very careful not to let the iron rest or bear against the teeth. After this operation give the horse a little meal, mixed with a small quantity of salt, and feed on mashes.
THE PROCESS OF TEETHING.
At 1½ years of age the mark in the central nippers will be much shorter and fainter; that in the other pairs will have undergone an evident change, and all the nippers become flat.
At 2 years this will be more manifest, and about this period a fifth will appear. Now, likewise, another process is commencing: the first teeth are adapted to the size and wants of the young animal, and are sufficiently large to fill the colt’s jaws.
At 3 years old the horse should have the central permanent nippers growing, the other two pairs wasting away; six grinders in each jaw above and below, the first and fifth level with the others, and the sixth protruding; the sharp edge of the incisors, which will be very evident when compared to the neighboring teeth.
At 4 years the central nippers will be fully developed, with the edge somewhat worn off, and the mark in them shorter, wider and fainter; the next pair will have made their appearance with the mark deep, and extending entirely across them. The corner nippers will be larger than the inside ones, yet smaller than they were and flat, with the mark nearly effaced. The sixth grinder will have become level with the others, and the tushes beginning to make their appearance.