MSD Manual

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Estimation of Age of Adult Horses by Examination of Teeth

Estimation of Age of Adult Horses by Examination of Teeth

Age (Years)

Distinguishing Dental Wear Pattern

5

Middle incisors worn flat; outer incisors beginning to wear

6

“Cup” (black cavity) gone from middle of central incisor

7

All lower incisors level; cup gone from next to last incisor on each side; telltale “hook” on edge of upper outermost incisors (wears off in 2 years then reappears at age 11); color changes from yellow to bluish white

8

Dental “stars” appear on central incisors; cup gone from outermost incisors; the “star” is the darker dentin that fills the pulp cavity as the tooth wears

9

Center incisors are rounded

10

Next to last incisor on each side is rounded; Galvayne’s groove emerges on outermost upper incisors

15

Dental stars round, dark, and distinct; Galvayne’s groove halfway down outermost upper incisor

16

Innermost incisor is triangular in cross section

17

Second from last incisor on each side is triangular