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I created this blog as an instrument of what I have encountered in the world of veterinary medicine as a proud vet student. Comments and suggestions are welcome here at;

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Aina Meducci 2012

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The following blog posts is not genuinely from my research but through readings and citation from trusted website. I do not own any of the copyright and therefore you may use it at your own risk

SINCE I AM NOT A VETERINARIAN YET, THEREFORE I CAN'T CONSULT ANY MEDICAL ADVICE TO YOU AND YOUR PETS! EXTREMELY IMPORTANT!.

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Horses Ages

I found a good website which tells how to estimating horses ages by the presentation of the teeth.

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A horses age can often be accurately assessed by examining the horses teeth. As a normal adult your horse has a minimum of 36 teeth. Your horse may also have up to four wolf teeth and/or canines.All horses should have

Six front teeth in the upper jaw, and six in the lower jaw.

These are called Incisors (biting teeth) and are used for tearing grass and other forage. The pair in the middle are called centrals. The next pair on either side are the laterals,The outer teeth are called corners.


Horse Age - teeth and the equine dentist


Behind the incisors lie the powerful molars (cheek teeth)
Three pre-molars on each side of both jaws and three permanent molars, used for grinding food.The grinding surfaces are called tables. They tilt downwards and outwards at 10-15 degrees.The upper jaw is about 25% wider than the lower jaw, which moves in a circular motion, bringing the cheek teeth tables into contact.

An adult horse has 24 permanent molars. while an immature horse has only 12 temporary molars.

Newborn foals to one year

Newborn foals will have their first incisors by the time they are a week old.At two weeks old, they should have their second, third, and fourth premolars, also known as cheek teeth.

The first premolars are actually the wolf teeth, which don't appear until 5-6 months of age.

The last two sets of teeth your foal will produce are his second and third incisors which erupt at 4-6 weeks and 6-9 months respectively.


Age a horse from teeth growth


By one year old, a foal should have a mouth full of 24 deciduous baby teeth and 2 wolf teeth


**It's important to note that the wolf teeth are small teeth located directly in front of the premolars. They are often confused with the canines which are larger teeth located in the middle of the bars of the mouth.Wolf teeth are only on the top, while canines are staggered on top and bottom.Often owners will have the wolf teeth removed at an early age to prevent irritation and interference with the bit. **Permanent teeth will start appearing when the foal is about a year old. The first molar erupt 9-12 months. Second molars erupt at 2 years.


The 2.5 to 4.5 year old horse

The 2.5 to 4.5 year old horse


The first permanent incisors will come in at 2 ½ years as will the second premolars.

Permanent central incisors have erupted baut are not in contact. Lowers are not yet free of the gum over much of their surface.

The chewing surface of the intermediates is worn to smooth.

Corners show definite wear.

The teeth then alternate their arrival with the 3rd premolars at 3 years, second incisors at 3 ½ years, 4th premolars at 4 years, and third incisors at 4 ½ years.

The third molars also come between 3 ½ - 4 years.


The five years old horse


The five year old horse


In male horses, the canines will appear in the bars of their mouth at 4 to 5 years of age.

The canine teeth have erupted fully.

Some mares may develop rudimentary canines depending on the presence of canines and wolf teeth.

The centrals and intermediates show wear on the chewing surfaces, but cups are still visible and are completely encirecled by enamel.

Corners are beginning to wear.

By the time horse is five years old, all the permanent teeth should be through and the gums should be a healthy pink colour with no bruising.

Permanent dentition is complete. All teeth are in wear


The ten years old horse


The ten year old horse


The angle of the horses jaw and teeth is increasingly oblique.

The chewing surfaces of the lower centrals and intermediates are rounded.

The dental star is more distinct and near the centre of the teeth.

Upper intermediates are nearly smooth with cups disappearing.

Galvaynes groove appears on the upper corner incisor.

Adult horse will have 36 to 42 permanent teeth.


The fifteen years old horse


The fifteen year old horse

The lower incisors may appear shorter than the uppers when viewed from the front.

Galvaynes groove extends halfway down the outer (lip) side of the upper corner incisor.


A Galvayne's groove in a horse

Galvaynes groove

A Galvayne's groove is a dark or brownish groove in the upper corner incisor teeth of horses. It is only visible in horses of a certain age, and depending on whether or not it can be seen, how long it is, and where it is (at the top of the tooth or at the bottom) it may be helpful in determining a horses' age.

The lower centrals and intermediates appear triangular on the chewing surface.

All incisors show a distinct dark round dental star in their centres.


The twenty years old horse


The twenty year old horse


Angulation of the jaw is distinctly oblique.

Galvaynes groove extends the entire length of the upper corner incisor.

All incisors are triangular.

Each dental star is round near the centre.

There is considerable spacing between the teeth.

The lowers may be worn almost to the gum.


Sources: Horses ages www.localriding.com,Galvaynes groove www.cowboyway.com



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