It is not a matter of much importance to be able to judge the age of a foal during the first few months, nor of a colt during the first year or two of its life, but in order to make the history of the evidence which the teeth afford complete, it is necessary to begin with the animal's birth. The first teeth, it is understood, are known as milk teeth, and at the time of birth the foal has four incisors in top and bottom jaws, and three molars on each side of the upper and lower jaws. All these teeth are entirely, or nearly covered with the gum, but they are seen quite distinctly in outline, and here and there the points may appear uncovered. The condition of the temporary incisors is indicated in the illustration (fig. 602).

It will be observed that the front or central incisors are much larger than the next in order - the lateral incisors. The drawing represents the bottom jaw, which is usually examined; but the condition of the teeth is very much the same in both jaws.

Fig. 602. - Incisors of Colt at birth.

Fig. 603. - Incisors of Colt at two months.

For six or seven months after birth no additions are made to the number of molars or incisors. The four incisor teeth, top and bottom, gradually advance and the gum recedes, and at the age of six months the appearance of the front of the mouth is as shown in the drawing (fig. 604).

Fig. 604. - Incisors of Colt at six months.

Fig. 605. - Incisors of Colt at one year.

The incisors show a line of wear on their upper surfaces, and the molars also exhibit a worn surface.

At nine months preparations are being made for the teeth which indicate the age of one year. The corner incisors, completing the number of six, begin to protrude through the gum, as does also the fourth molar behind the three pre-molars, and at the age of one year the front and back of the mouth will present the appearance of the drawings (figs. 605, 606).