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Aging Horses by Their Teeth
Aging Horses and Equines by their Teeth
Introduction
Because horses' teeth continue to grow throughout their lives and the teeth change regularly, it is possible to estimate the age of a horse by examining the teeth. This article consists of descriptions and images to help you learn this art.
Teeth Landmarks and Structure
To learn to age horses using their teeth, it helps to know the names of the teeth, their structure, and the age the permanent teeth replace the deciduous (baby) teeth.
The horse has 12 deciduous (baby) incisors, later replaced with 12 permanent (adult) incisors, six on top and six on the bottom.
The bottom row of incisors of an approximately 8-year-old horse.
A...Infundibulum or Cup ~~~~~ B...Pulp Canal or Star
The pair in the middle is called the central (1st) incisors, next are the intermediate (2nd) incisors and lastly, the corners (3rd) incisors.
The top surface of the tooth is called the occlusal surface. The image makes the anatomy easier to understand: this is the occlusal surface the bottom row of incisors of an 8-year-old horse. Labeled are the infundibulum, which we will call the "cup" and the pulp canal or "star". Study how the cup enlarges as you move from the center to the corner incisor and how the star gets smaller.
The bottom row of incisors of an approximately 8-year-old horse.
A...Infundibulum or Cup ~~~~~ B...Pulp Canal or Star
Adult Horse's Teeth Change
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