CARE OF THE HORSE'S TEETH.

New Zealand Mail, Issue 1213, 31 May 1895, Page 24

CARE OF THE HORSE'S TEETH.

Many who own horses have no idea that a horse's teeth are liable to get cut of orfer. Of the more frequent troubles is decay ; the diseased tooth wears away most quickly, and the opposite one, having nothing t.j regulate it, soon projects far below its fellow, tears the gum, causing great pain while the horse is trying to chew his food.

Ulceration, causing great pain, is quite common, and if allowed to go too far frequently causes necrosis of the bones. An unlucky rap with a stick or a bump against a manger may cause ulceration, and anyone who has ever suffered from the " venomed stang that shoots his tortured gum. 3 alang " can readily sympathise with the poor horse, and understand why ho refuses to eat. In the natural growth of: the teeth sometimes projections are formed which prevent the closing of the two sets, and consequently the proper mastication of tho food. Those and a dozen other afflictions of the horse's teeth will keep him from thriving, and until treated no amount of food will make him do any better. When a horse is noticed thus failing, a cursory examination made with the fingers on the outside of the fact* may disclose some jagged edges or sharp points which are laceiating the cheeks, or where some unduly long tooth is preventing the proper chewincj of the food. If the animal is gentle, and may be relied upon, tho mouth may be opened, and the tongue pulled gently to one hide, and the hand run along the tooth. This is at best a rather silly process of examination, for, while a horse will not bite his own tongue, if a sore place be touched, and a sudden jerk of the head release tli6 tongue the investigator's arm will surely be severely bitten. However, while such an examiuatim can bo easily accomplished, it can be but unsatisfactory at best. A

qualified veterinarian should be called in, and with his speculum, floats and forceps, he will soon put things righs. When a horse's teeth have been bothering him and when they have been, put to rights it is surprising what a ravenous appetite he will display and how soon he will pick up. When a horse is not thriving look first at his teeth. —" Wentworlh."