As COLTS of any description (except for THE TURF) are seldom taken in hand, at least offered for sale, or brought into work, till they are three years old, it is totally unnecessary to go into a minute description of their AGE by the TEETH previous to that period. Suffice it, therefore, to observe, the twelve teeth in the front of the mouth are, from their original appearance, called COLT'S TEETH, and so continue to be, till dispossessed, and followed by others which we proceed to describe: and that a matter of such necessary information may (with very little attention) be perfectly understood, an accurately engraved Plate is annexed, with such explanatory matter, as will bring the subject home to the plainest comprehension.
To face Page 153, Vol. 1ˢᵗ AGE by the TEETH.
Fig. 1. Rising Three. Fig. 2. Four Years old.
Fig. 3. Rising Six. Fig. 4. Aged.
Colts' teeth are, in whiteness and appearance, not inferior to polished ivory; are individually smooth upon the surface, or seat of mastication, and so continue till some time between two and a half and three years old; when, a few weeks sooner or later, (depending entirely upon their having been late or early foals,) but within the space of time specified, he sheds the two middle teeth of the SIX in the under jaw: these are pushed forward, and succeeded by two of a stronger formation, deeper in color, fluted, as it were, or having small grooves from top to bottom, with a natural black cavity in the centre, as represented in figure the first of the Plate, when the colt will be found rising THREE YEARS OLD.
Some time in the last half of the fourth year, the same process takes place with the teeth on each side the two in the centre, (already described to have undergone the change;) so that at four years old we find a repetition of (or addition to) the first two, at which particular period he becomes possessed of FOUR horse teeth in the middle, and one colt's tooth only on each side, as will be observed in the second figure of the Plate, where is represented the mouth of a colt when FOUR YEARS OLD off, which he should be properly called till the fall of the leaf; after that time it is the custom to say, he is RISING FIVE.
At this time, that is, some time in the autumn, as September, October, or November, (depending a little upon his having been a late or early foal,) he sheds the two remaining outside or corner teeth, the successors to which continuing to push out till the May or June following, when he is full in the mouth, FIVE YEARS OLD, and then called a horse.
During the course of this year, the single teeth, called TUSKS, seated beyond the corner teeth upon the bars, appear; and proper attention to the infantine or advanced state of this projection, will evidently demonstrate the fifth year of age; notwithstanding any trifling variation, or singular exception, to the law of Nature already laid down; as may be accurately collected from an attentive inspection of the third figure in the Plate, where the subject is to be considered FIVE YEARS OLD, off, and through the whole of the year is termed "rising six;" the year not terminating till the first of May, from which every horse takes his age; and it is customary to say he is coming six, or will be six years old next grass.
In the space of the last six months of the sixth year, the cavity of the two middle teeth of the SIX (already described to have succeeded the two in the first change at three years old) gradually fill up, and when turned of SIX YEARS OLD, retain a faint remains of the original black mark, but is nearly or quite smooth upon the surface.
In the last half of the SEVENTH YEAR, when the horse is termed "six off," (or rising seven,) the teeth on each side the two centrical, last described, become gradationally possessed of the same appearance; and when SEVEN YEARS are fully attained, the two outside or corner teeth only bear any mark of the original cavity. At this period the HORSE is said to be aged; and from this time to the completion of his eighth year, the faint mark in the corner teeth continues gradually to disappear (varying a little in different subjects) till quite obliterated, when the AGE by the TEETH is no longer a matter to be relied on, but becomes totally dependent upon the immaculate declaration of the DEALER, or the ipse dixit of the BREEDER, if that can be bona fide obtained. This description will be found accurately delineated in the fourth figure of the Plate.
As the curious, but very common, operation of Bishoping has been properly explained under that head, so another deception, in full practice by the fraternity of horse-dealers, must not be forgotten; they consider it a LAW of PRIVILEGE, and never omit an opportunity of gratifying their professional sensations. By referring to figure the second of the Plate, (where the teeth represent the state of the mouth at four years old off,) may be seen the four centrical teeth with the black cavities, and the two COLT'S TEETH at the corners, without any mark at all. In this state they are frequently purchased of the simple harmless BREEDER in the country; but they are very seldom a few hours in the possession of a DEALER, before the fertility of his imagination is at work to rectify the deficiencies, and to anticipate the very intent and effort of Nature.