HO^ toTELLt OFA HORSE. - 869 ^43 >py 1 LIBRARY OF CONGRESS. yi5^ Shelf.SA.?> UNITED STATES OF AMERICA. HOW TO TELL AGE OF A HORSE. A POCKET MANUAL, Giving full information of the methods employed by Professio7ial Horsemen and Veterinarians to determine the Age of Horses^ ivith nu- merous illustrations, showing the shape of the teeth at differ eiit ages. CHAPTER ON HORSE CHARACTER, OR HOW TO DETERMINE THE DISPOSITION OP A HORSE, WITH PORTRAITS OF SKVERAL FAMOUS TROTTERS AND THOROIJ£ru-BREDS. By Prof. J. M. HEARD, Member of the Royal College of Veterinary ^rr-rr'Tr — n^^^ London, and Professor of Clinical Surgery and f fl^^k Surgical Pathology^ in the New York College ^Sfjk^ of Veterinary Surgeons. '^ ..84' NEW YORK: 7 '^ ^"^^^ M. T. RICHARDSON", PUBLISHER. 18S4. Copyright, 1884, by M. T. RICHARDSON, Edward O. Jenkins' Sons, Printers and StereotyperSy 20 North William St., N.Y. ^«#' PREFACE. The preparation of this little work was suggested by Mr. M. T. Richardson, publisher of the Black- smith and WheehvrigJit, who some time ago had occasion to attempt the purchase of a horse. Although he had a copious library to draw upon, containing many books on horses, he was unable to find any- thing of practical value to aid him in determining the ages of the horses he looked at. Notwith- standing many of the books allud- ed to were illustrated, the methods (3) 4 PREFACE. of illustration were confusing, and the size of the books made it im- practicable for him to take them with him for reference when want- ed. An attempt has been made in the following pages to simplify- both the illustrations and the de- scriptive matter, with the view of producing a work which can easily be carried in the pocket so as to be available at any moment. In order not to confuse the searcher after knowledge, the shad- ing which would be required to rep- resent the uneven surface of the teeth is omitted, and they are left white on top, with only the spots standing out plain and distinct. PREFACE. 5 It is believed by the author that a diligent study of these pages and a comparison of the engravings with the teeth, will make almost any one proficient in determining the ages of horses in a short time. The engravings have been made with especial care, but the student should bear in mind that the teeth of no two horses are exactly alike. The general conformation, how- ever, will be found, it is believed, more nearly accurate than any- thing else 'in print. The Author. May 15, 1884. HOW TO TELL AGE OF A HORSE PART L Chapter L To persons buying, and selling, or trading in horses, it is of the highest importance that a nearly correct opinion of the age of the animal may be formed. At a very early period this fact was fully recognized, and an at- tempt was made to formulate rules for the guidance of persons inter- ested in the age of the horse. (7) 8 HOW TO TELL Of course, every trained horse- man will recognize the lightness and elasticity of step of the youth- ful horse as compared with middle- aged or older animals. One of the general indications of age is the angular appearance of the lower jaw as seen in old horses ; there is, also, a different appearance to the eyes and coun- tenance generally. These, how- ever, are only general appearances, and liable to considerable variation in different individuals. To definitely get at the age of horses, there must be recognized some structure of the animal which is little liable to change, and which THE AGE OF A HORSE. 9 can easily be examined. The only organs answering this purpose are the teeth, and even the teeth are not an infallible guide to age, as we occasionally find deviations from the usual standard. Yet they are the only guide that can be safely trusted with any degree of confidence. Rules for ascertaining the age by an inspection of the teeth are based on a very large number of investigations, and any deviation therefrom will be found rare, and an exception to the general prin- ciples laid down in the following pages. Chapter II. The incisors of the lower jaw- are the teeth that are generally examined to determine the age of the horse. These are the six teeth situated in the front of the jaw. The tushes are a partial indica- tion, and might assist the judg- ment in a doubtful case, but it is very seldom that much weight is given to, or in fact much notice taken of, the appearance of any of the teeth, except the incisors of the lower jaw. In this description we shall speak (10) THE AGE OF A HORSE. II of the six incisors as nippers, and the middle pair, or those situated in the middle of the row and at Fig. I.— Showing Lcwer Jaw at 2J Years. A A. Central Nippers. B B. Middle Nippers. CC. Corner Nippers, the extreme front (see Fig. i), A A, will be described as the ceritral nip- pers. The second pair, B B, are the middle nippers, and the third 12 HOW TO TELL pair, C C, are the corner nippers. As will be seen, this figure represents the appearance of the nippers in the lower jaw at 2j4 years. The central nippers are just through the gum, and are there- fore the first permanent pair. The middle and corner nippers in this engraving represent the temporary teeth which will remain for a year and two years respectively from this period. We must here notice the differ- ence in size between the temporary and permanent teeth. It is seen at a glance that the permanent teeth are very much larger than the temporary. At this age we THE AGE OF A HORSE. find one large pair, only recently cut, and two small pairs, one of which will give way to a permanent pair at 3>^ years, and the other Fig. 2 SHOWS A Lower Jaw at si Years. pair will be replaced by permanent teeth at 4}4 to 5 years. When we come to about this age we notice (see Fig. 2) that a radical 14 HOW TO TELL change has taken place. As will be seen, the second pair, or middle temporary nippers, have given way and in their place has appeared the second pair of permanent nippers, which at this age have the same appearance that the central pair did at 2^ years. The central nippers themselves have changed somewhat, and are commencing to show the wear to which they have been subjected since they were cut. We notice that the marks are not so large nor as deep as in Fig. i. We still have the temporary corner nippers, which, of course, are very much smaller than either of the permanent pairs. THE AGE OF A HORSE. 1$ However, no mistake need be made, as it will be easily seen that the middle pair have not been cut for any length of time. Fig. 3 SHOWS THE Lower Jaw at 5 Years. The next step in our description brings us to Fig. 3, which shows the condition of the teeth at 4^ to 5 years old. Here we have what is termed a full mouth ; that l6 HOW TO TELL is, all the permanent nippers are up, and the temporary ones of course are all shed. Changes, too, have taken place in the permanent teeth ; which we must examine very closely, as we have no brake to stop us now, as we had while the temporary teeth were in their places. We could then say, " This horse is not 5 years old, or he is not 4 years old, as he shows one or two pairs of temporary teeth." Now we must look entirely to the marks or spots in the middle of the teeth for our guidance. Unprincipled dealers, availing themselves of the services of skill- THE AGE OF A HORSE. 1/ ed dentists, attempt to imitate this age more than any other perhaps in old horses, as seen in Fig. 20, p. 36. The novice in such matters should always be on his guard against such fraud, for to an or- dinary observer the teeth prepared as described, very much resemble those of a 5-year-old horse. In the accompanying engraving, Fig. 3, it will be seen that the cor- ner nippers have about the same appearance as the middle pair in Fig. 2, and the central pair in Fig. I. They have not been up long enough to sustain any appreciable wear, and they have very deep, full marks. The central pair, however, l8 HOW TO TELL are worn, so that a considerable proportion of the mark has disap- peared, leaving only a small black Fig. 4 SHOWS THF. Lower Jaw at 6 Years. spot ; but it will be noticed that the shape of the tooth has not changed as yet, as it will when the animal grows older. THE AGE OF A HORSE. 1 9 Instead of the oval shape that the teeth present now, at 9 years and after, they will be more trian- gular. This appearance is well rep- resented in Fig. 14. The middle nippers at 5 years have consider- ably changed from the appearance of a year previous. The marks are not so large, but still preserve a respectable size and depth. We find in Fig. 4, which repre- sents a 6-year-old mouth, that the central nippers have lost all their marks except a comparatively small speck. The middle pair have lost much of the mark, as seen at 5 years old in Fig. 3, and they re- semble the central pair in that fig- 20 HOW TO TELL ure. The corner nippers, too, have lost-some of their full marks which Fig. 5 SHOWS A Lower Jaw at 7 Years. they had a year previous, but they are still large. At this age, too, the tushes are completely up in the THE AGE OF A HORSE. 21 male, but do not show any per- ceptible wear. The changes from six to seven Fig. 6 SHOWS A Lower Jaw at 8 Years. years old are not very remarkable. The teeth all show more wear, and the marks are not so plain, of 22 HOW TO TELL course. The greatest difference is in the corner nippers, where the marks are considerably smaller than at six years, but much larger than in the central or middle pairs. In Fig. 6, which represents the teeth at eight years of age, we see that they show about the same-sized marks ; which are all quite small. As yet the teeth re- main quite oval in form, but in a short time they become somewhat triangular, especially the central pair of nippers. In Fig. 7, showing the teeth at nine years old, the marks proper have mostly disappeared, and there remains only a small black speck. THE AGE OF A HORSE. 23 The central nippers are slightly triangular in shape. The tushes Fig:. 7 SHOWS A Lower Jaw at 9 Years. are much more rounded at the points than before. In Fig. 8, which is a side view of the front of the upper jaw 24 HOW TO TELL at 9 years of age, the wear to the corner nippers is shown. In Fig. 9, showing the teeth at Fig. 8.— Side View of an Upper Jaw at g Years, showing the Wear in the Corner Nippers. ten years of age, we see the cen- tral nippers quite triangular, with a tendency to take on that form in the middle pair. The marks THE AGE OF A HORSE. 2$ are all obliterated except a very small speck. The teeth are also longer, and project forward more than in younger horses. Fig. 9 SHOWS A Lower Jaw at lo Years. The triangular shape increases in Fig. lo, eleven years old, in all the nippers, even the corner pair showing a tendency in that direc- 26 Plow TO TELL tion. The tushes are much round- er at the points, and the nippers are longer and project forward Fig:. lo SHOWS A Lower Jaw at ii Years. more. We notice that the central pair are quite triangular. The teeth grow more and more THE AGE OF A HORSE. 2J triangular in Fig. ii, twelve years of age ; and we observe in Fig. 12 a side view of the front of the up- Fig:. II SHOWS A Lower Jaw at 12 Years. per jaw, which shows the form of the corner nippers and tushes. It is seen that the front of the corner nipper is worn even with the mid- .28 HOW TO TELL die pair ; on the back part of the corner nipper the wear is not so pronounced, and we see a sharp elongated projection. The differ- Fig. 12.— Side View of Front and Upper Jaw at 12 Years of Age, Showing the Wear of the Corner Nippers. ence between this projection at twelve years from that at nine years, will be noticed by examin- ing Figs. 12 and 8. THE AGE OF A HORSE. 29 In Fig. 13, a lower jaw at thir- teen years of age, there is nothing Fig. 13 SHOWS A Lower Jaw at 13 Years. in particular to note except that the triangular shape continues to increase. In Fig. 14, showing the teeth at 30 HOW TO TELL fourteen years old, the nippers are somewhat longer, and project for- Fis:. 14 SHOWS THE Lower Jaw at 14 Years. ward more and more, as they will contniue to do as the animal grows older. In Fig. 15 we see the tendency THE AGE OF A HORSE. 3 1 to a triangular shape increasing, and the teeth becoming longer; Fig:. 15 SHOWS Lower Jaw at 15 Years. they also have a more oblique pro- jection forward. In Fig. 16, eighteen years old, the 32 HOW TO TELL nippers are all more triangular, the corner ones being less triangular than the others. Fig. i6 SHOWS A Lower Jaw at i8 Years. In Fig. 17 the same points which have been described in the fore- going pages, will be seen to be somewhat intensified. THE AGE OF A HORSE. 33 In an animal twenty years old (see Fig. 18) the nippers are all very triangular, very long, and Fig. 17 SHOWS A Lower Jaw at 19 Years. project forward in a very great de- gree. The tushes are very round at the points. 34 HOW TO TELL In Fig. 19 are represented the changes in the shape of the teeth from the young to the very old animals. At a we see a represen- Fig;. 18 SHOWS A Lower Jaw at 20 Years. tation of a central nipper at five years old ; at <^ it is shown as it looks at nine years,whcn it becomes somewhat triangular, and has lost IHE AGE OF A HORSE. 35 the marks. At c we see the same tooth at the age of eighteen years. The difference in shape will be noticed at a glance. Fig:. 19. BISHOPING. Fig. 20 represents the nippers when they have been fixed up to resemble a young animal. This J6 HOW TO TELi. operation, which is called '' Bish- oping," is very frequently resorted to by dealers, and is often very Fig:. 20 REPRESENTS THE TeETH OF AN OLD Horse Changed to Resemble a Five-Year- Old. successfully practiced. To make the marks in the teeth, or rather to make the cavity for the mark, THE AGE OF A HORSE. 37 fine-tempered chisels and engrav- ers' tools are used ; and when the cavity has been made deep enough and as even as possible, the black mark is burnt in by the use of ni- trate of silver, or some other chem- ical agent. In the above illustra- tion the marks are very uneven ; and we often find that to be the case in the '' Bishoped " mouth, but sometimes the marks are very evenly placed, and to the casual observer look just like the natural marks of a five-year-old horse ; for that is the age they all try to imitate. It is easily seen that the nippers in the above figure are those of an aged animal. The central pair are 38 THE AGE OF A HORSE. quite triangular, and the middle ones are also advanced in that di- rection. The corner pair arc the teeth that the operator works on the most, as those are the teeth the most confidence is placed in to determine the five-year-old. PART II. HORSE CHARACTER. Horse character is a subject which as yet has received very lit- tle attention. Although almost any experi- enced horseman can tell some- thing of the disposition of a horse by looking him in the face and by the expression of his eyes, no spe- cial rules have been formulated for the guidance of a novice in such matters, and few who possess (39) 40 HOW TO TELL this kind of knowledge are able to explain the methods by which they reach conclusions as to the characteristics of horses. One man will say : " Look out for that horse. He is treacherous." Another will remark after an in- spection of the countenance of a horse : ''You can trust him. He is gen- tle and kind." Neither can tell exactly why he thinks as he does. Some time ago there was pub- lished in the Blacksmith and Wheel- wright a short article by Mr. Nelson Sizer, the well-known phrenologist THE AGE OF A HORSE. 4I and author, which throws light on this interesting question, and may lead sooner or later to investiga- tions which will he of no little value to those who seek to select horses for special purposes. We reproduce herewith the article al- luded to, as well as the illustrations accompanying it : ''The horse is at once the no- blest and among the most intelli- gent of the animal kingdom. Like the dog, he becomes fond of man, and 'shares with his lord the pleas- ure and pride * of companionship and achievement. Like men, horses are of various dispositions. One exhibits pride and dignity ; an- 42 HOW TO TELL Other is dull, tame, and inefficient. One is savage ; another is kind. Fig-. 21.— Intelligkxt Horse. Head of a horse of tractable disposition, that can be taught almost anything;. One is quick to understand, while another is stupid. One has cour- THE AGE OF A HORSE. 43 age ; another is shy and timid, and therefore unreliable. There are differences in the form and expres- sion of the face of the horse, es- pecially in the structure and form of the head. Characteristics of this kind may be profitably studied by horsemen. In Fig. 21 of the en- gravings, "it will be noticed there is a great width between and promi- nence of the eyes, which indicates a teachable and tractable horse. The width between the ears indi- cates courage, nobleness, and strength of character. Roundness and elevation between the eyes is a sign of mildness of disposition, and desire to be caressed and to 44 HOW TO TELL reciprocate kindness. A timid horse is narrow between the ears, like the deer, sheep, and rabbit. Fig. 22. — ^Vicious and Unteachable. A horse of the lowest grade of intelligence. Such an one lacks courage, and is always unreliable. A dull, un- teachable horse is narrow between the eyes, and flat and contracted THE AGE OF A HORSE. 45 above and back of them. A horse of the general characteristics indi- cated in Fig. 21 can be taught al- most anything. Such an one trusts and loves man. " The sketch exhibited in Fig. 22 shows in all respects a marked con- trast, comparing with the figure just referred to. The intelligence of the horse represented in this figure is of the lowest sort, and is confined to self-preservation. Such a horse is comparatively destitute of kindness and tractability. He will bite, kick, shy, run away, or balk, if irritated and worried. He lacks every element of nobleness and amiability. He is fit only for 46 HOW TO TELL a mill or horse-boat. In monoto- nous lines of drudgery he may be worth keeping, but for general use he should be shunned. " Some horses from defective vision shy at shadows or anything not dangerous. When this is the case gentleness and patience may tend to cure the habit. No horse should be whipped for stumbling and falling, or for being afraid, un- less one would make the matter ten times worse." To assist the student of horse character, we present in this con- nection portraits, drawn by an art- ist celebrated for his faithful repre- sentations of famous horses, of a number of well-known horses. THE AGE OF A HORSE. 47 Fig. 23 is a profile portrait of Maud S., whose record of 2:io| is Fig. 23 IS A Profile View of the Celebrated Trotter, Maud S. known to all horsemen. She was originally owned by Capt. Stone, of Cincinnati, and was named by 48 HOW TO TELL him. At present she is the prop- erty of Mr. William H. Vanderbilt, of this city. Fig:. 24 IS A Thorough-bred. The thorough-bred shown in Fig. 24 is simply a typical head. THE AGE OF A HORSE. 49 The special features presented will be recognized as those very gen- Fig. 25 IS A FINE Likeness of Hambletonian. erally met with among thorough- bred horses. Hambletonian (Fig. 25) is the 50 HuW TO TEIX well-known sire of Volunteer, and of many of the best trotting horses of the present day. More of the Fig. 26 REPRESENTS A FRENCH PeRCHERON. descendants of Habletonian are to be found in the 2:30 list than of any other horse in existence. THE AGE OF A HORSE. 5 1 The typical French Percheron, which we show in Fig. 26, was Fig:. 27 IS THE Head of a Scotch Clydesdale. drawn from a photograph. The original of this picture has been 52 HOW TO TELL in active service in a Paris omnibus company for a number of years. Fig. 28 SHOWS THE Stallion, Black Henry A typical Scotch Clydesdale h shown in Fig. 27. This is a favorite THE AGE OF A HORSE. 53 draft horse, heavier in weight than the French Percheron, and quite largely imported into this country for breeding purposes and for cross- ing with the view of obtaining de- sirable draft horses. Black Henry (Fig. 28) is of the Clay breed. He is a son of the well-known stallion Henry Clay ; a stallion possessing many points of excellence. The readers of this little volume can hardly fail to profit greatly by a careful study of these heads, and a comparison of them with horses coming under their observation. 54 ADVERTISEMENTS. HORSES : AND A manjal of horse hygiene invaluable for the veteran or the novice, pointing out the causes of "glanders," "pink eye,'' "distemper," etc., and how to prevent them, by C. E. Page, M.D. ; with a treatise and notes on shoeing by Sir George Cox and Col. M. C. Weld. . This book gives in a condensed form much that is valu- able on the care of horses, that has not before been publish- ed. The subject is considered from a new and original stand-point, and stated in a plain, practical, common-sense manner, showing how by proper care we may add many valuable years of life and usefulness to our horses. Unlike many books on this subject, it does not advertise any med- icines. To a new edition has been added, as plates, a number of full-page portraits of famous and thorough-bred horses, in- cluding "Jay-Eye-See," "Joe Bunker," "Parole" "Alcan- tara," " Miss Woodford," " Estes," etc. It is safe to say, that to every owner of a horse this book would prove most valuable. The price is only 50 cents in paper covers, or handsomely bound in extra cloth, 75 cents. By mail, post-paid. Agents Wanted to sell this to every owner of a horse. Specially liberal terms given. Address 1*1. T. RICHARDSON, Pnbllsber, No. 7 TTarren St., Nctv York. ADVERTISEMENTS. 55 AUSABLE HORSE NAILS HOT FORGED and FIHISHED. S 00 WARRANTED %w I ii; To Give Satisfaction. T2Sr3EI OifllAKiaEI Standard ^"d Light Heads, Polished and Blued, AUSABLE HORISE NAIL' CO., 4 Warren St., New York. 56 ADVERTISEMENTS. J. TKT. FISKE^ MANUFACTURER OF Ofpameptal Ifop apJ Zipc IWofk, 21^23 Barclajr St., 2& ^ 28 Park Place, NEW YOKK. Iron, Brass, and Bronze Stable Fixtures, Comprising tlie most improved designs, viz. : Hay-Racks, Mangers, Stall Gnards, ELitcliing and Stall Posts, Gutters, Traps, Cesspools, Saddle and Bridle Brackets, Harness Brackets, Tie Rings, Etc., Etc. Address ^W° See following page. ADVERTISEMENTS. 57, Cast and "Wrought Iron and Wire, WINDOW & DOOR GUIRDS. La m p - p OS t s and Lamps. Wrought and Cast Iron Rail- ings, Iron and Brass Wire Rail- ings for Banks, Offices, Etc. Fountains, Aquaria, Vases, Statuary, Settees, Chairs, Etc., Etc. 5^" Catalogues furnished on application, on receipt of five cents postage for each catalogue. Address J. \^, FISKH, Manufacturer, 21 and 23 Barclay St., 26 and 28 Park Place, Ne^v York* f^* See preceding page. 58 ADVERTISEMENTS. ^W. O. SHORT & CO., Wholesale Dealers, Importers and Manufacturers OF Harnesv Horse Clothing, SADDLES, BRIDLES, Lap Robes, in Fur, Plush, Wool. BROADCLOTH, LINEN, AND MUMMY-CLOTH. HORSE BOOTS, '3 AND STABLE EQUIPMENTS OF EVERY DESCRIPTION. 27 "Warren St., New York. LIBRARY OF CONGRESS llilllili 0002837 454 9