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
