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 |