These teeth can continue to grow to replace the gradual erosion caused by cropping fodder that has grit and other abrasives. The lower canines especially are prone to a build-up of tartar – sometimes to the extent that the tooth resembles a large, light brown acorn in appearance. The original purpose of canine teeth was as fighting weaponry and as such they serve no useful function in the modern horse. Dentist checking a horse's teeth. In other species with brachydont incisors, such as cattle and dogs, age determination is less accurate and is mostly based on dental eruption times. Young growing horses need to have their teeth examined regularly. The first five years are very busy years in the horse’s mouth. Generally, the average child has their full set of 20 primary teeth by the age of three years. The permanent teeth are much 1) 2½ years. Wolf teeth appear in about 13 to 32 percent of all horses. As horses age, many factors can affect the condition of the teeth and make it more difficult to estimate age. In a 1-year-old horse, all the temporary teeth have erupted. Blind wolf teeth (unerupted wolf teeth) are usually problematic and are nearly always extracted. 1) Permanent Teeth Horses have two sets of teeth: temporary teeth called “baby” or “milk” teeth, and permanent teeth. This is due to the shedding of their molar and incisor caps during this time frame. If they don’t fall out by themselves, they may need to be removed by the vet. Some senior horses show clear signs of dental problems, such as an inability to eat properly, but other signs are less obvious. Uneven wear can cause sharp edges and hooks that require smoothing down to prevent irritation to the inside of the cheeks or tongue. The cheek teeth are wider than the incisors. Canine Teeth: Canine teeth are large and tusk-like in form. For more information on the importance of incorporating dental care procedures into your dog’s routine, read on. Males usually develop canine teeth adding to the number of teeth present. d . FAVD, CVPP, DAVDC A very big issue for every horse under five years of age is the eruption of the baby or deciduous teeth and the formation of a full set of permanent teeth. Some horses have misaligned jaws that can be undershot or overshot, also called parrot mouth, which can cause wear and chewing problems. There are no "baby tooth" or deciduous versions of wolf teeth. Your horse also has a number of different types of teeth. The premolars do not appear until much later. As a result the sharp points that cut your horses cheeks are still needing filing. Wolf Teeth Wolf teeth vary in size, shape and location in the horses mouth although they are most common in the upper jaw. Once shed from the baby teeth permanent ones appear when the horse is around 4 or 5. temporary or milk teeth of the young horse are smallish and b) Second period (2½ to 5 years). a . The amount of wear depends on the type of soil the horse is grazing on and the type of fodder, as well as the health, habits, and genetics of the horse itself. An adult male horse has 40 permanent teeth, and a mare have between 36-40 teeth. These teeth efficiently clip the grass as it grazes. In male horses, the canines will appear in the bars of their mouth at 4 to 5 years of age. But some horses, because of ongoing problems or the shape and size of its mouth, may need more frequent checks. Wolf teeth appear at around 6 - 12 mths of age, where as Canine teeth usually erupt around 4-6 years of age. Permanent Canines – The adult canine teeth are visible starting at 4-6 months of age. The 2) 2-year-old. These teeth are the easiest to see, so it’s from these that a horse’s age is estimated. Specific wear and growth patterns can help you determine the approximate age of a horse. Because the roots of some of the molars extend near the sinus cavity, some infections can appear to be sinus problems. Stage 7: Wisdom teeth eruption. The second set of upper and lower molars erupts between the ages of 25 and 33 months. Any concerns over these teeth should be discussed with a vet or EDT, who may advise that canines be reduced and filed smooth. Deciduous teeth that have not been lost and sit on top of the permanent teeth are called caps. The premolars – that sit right behind the canine teeth along the sides with two pointed cusps on their biting surface – follow shortly by the time the kitten reaches 4 to 6 weeks of age. Puppy dogs and incisions (large teeth in the front of the mouth) are usually in full force at the age of 6 to 8 weeks, and permanent adult dogs and incisions are up to 3 months old. At 4-5 weeks of age the two middle incisors erupt. Some horses will not have them at all, or for some, they may not be a problem. These problems can result in poor health, weight loss, difficulty wearing a bit, and behavior or performance problems when ridden or driven. The canine teeth are about the same size as the incisors in the front of the mouth. The first baby teeth to appear will generally be the canine teeth at 3-4 weeks of age. The premolars – that sit right behind the canine teeth along the sides with two pointed cusps on their biting surface – follow shortly by the time the kitten reaches 4 to 6 weeks of age. Typically only seen in colts, these teeth erupt just behind the premolars. A mature horse hopefully five years of age will have between 36 and 44 teeth. Take a look in your horse's mouth and you’ll see a lot of teeth in there. Some mares may develop rudimentary canines depending on the presence of canines and wolf teeth. Your young horse has 24 deciduous or milk teeth, 12 incisors, and 12 premolars or grinders teeth. Adult horses have 24 molar teeth. And, throughout its life, it will have two different sets of teeth, just like humans. Again this is a loaded question. Here are four characteristics to look for when determining the age of a horse by its teeth. They can show up in both sexes. All horse teeth are deeply rooted, and the roots can curve well back into the jaw bone. These are extra teeth that grow in the toothless bar of the horse's mouth between the front teeth and back. Managing the teething process By the time a child is 2 to 3 years of age, all primary teeth should have erupted. And when an older horse starts having problems grinding food due to worn or missing teeth, a veterinarian can help you determine the best diet for your horse. Wolf teeth: Wolf teeth are small (often tiny) teeth that can be found immediately in front of the first upper cheek teeth. The deciduous premolars are lost and four permanent premolars are … Growth of jaw and facial bones: Ages 4 to 6 The bones in your child's face and jaw grow and develop, creating space between the baby teeth for permanent teeth to come in. Horses have teeth that continue to erupt for 20 to 30 years. Baby teeth may not shed properly and could need the attention of an equine dentist or veterinarian. Katherine is an avid horseback rider and trainer who contributed to The Spruce Pets for over 12 years, publishing 400+ articles. However, the gums should appear healthy pink. Illustration: The Spruce / Alison Czinkota. Young horses, especially two and three year olds, may need 2 - 3 dentals per year to keep their teeth in the best condition. A horse may nip if annoyed or may bite hard if it is defending itself from or attacking other horses or predators. Generally, once a year is sufficient. They are almost due against, but last year my filly was 4, my senior was 26 (he has since passed) & my Arab mare was 14. Prominent, tall canines can reduce the space for the tongue so some horses may suffer tongue pain due to excessive bit pressure. An adult male will usually have 40. The complete set of primary teeth is in the mouth from the age of 2 ½ to 3 years of age to 6 to 7 years of age. By the time a child is 2 to 3 years of age, all primary teeth should have erupted. Failure of Deciduous Caps to Shed in Horses. white with a distinct neck. Up to 20 percent of Mares can get canine teeth but most don't. All of your horse’s teeth grow about 1/6 inch per year. In the lower jaw, these teeth extend to the bottom of the bone. All male horses will have canines (sometimes referred to as tusks) and those teeth are located in the space between the incisors and the cheek teeth that we call the diastema. When your horse’s teeth are checked, its age will be taken into account, since some problems such as caps, hooks, and points are related to age. He may also have up to 4 wolf teeth and a set of 4 canine teeth. Mares may be slighlty more likely to have wolf teeth (as opposed to canine teeth) than geldings or stallions. Canine teeth are usually absent or less developed in female horses, but erupt in most male horses by the time they are between four-and-a-half and five years old. It is important to differentiate the Wolf tooth described above from canine teeth. 2 years c . Do The cups get smaller with age? As horses age the reserve tooth (root) gets shorter until in old age the roots may be quite short. You have a total of four of them, located next to your four top front teeth and your four bottom teeth. John P. Kelly / Getty Images Wolf and Canine Teeth . On average, horses have between 36 and 42 teeth. They're often small, with short roots. By the time a child is 2 to 3 years of age, all primary teeth should have erupted. As the foal matures to 4 or 5 years of age, some horses may get extra teeth in the inter-dental gap that we call the bars of the mouth. The yellowish or brownish color of the teeth is normal. Canines, also called eyeteeth or cuspids, are teeth used for ripping and tearing at foods that might be tough, such as meat. These are also the first teeth to appear as the milk teeth grow in and the first to shed as the permanent teeth push through. As the foal matures to 4 or 5 years of age, some horses may get extra teeth in the inter-dental gap that we call the bars of the mouth. Not Helpful 1 Helpful 7. Canine teeth erupt at around 4-5 years of age. I get my horses teeth done once a year. I get asked frequently what age to start doing horses teeth. They only occur in male horses and typically erupt at about 4 years of age. Only Males have Canine Teeth, canine teeth are not used for eating or chewing, they are for attacking and defense. its not exactly fully out of his Gums its just barely showing. This is also one of the ways that the age of a young horse can be determined. After that, other teeth slowly begin to fill in, usually in pairs -- one each side of the upper or lower jaw -- until all 20 teeth (10 in the upper jaw and 10 in the lower jaw) have come in by the time the child is 2 ½ to 3 years old. i noticed that he was starting to bite the other horses alot more & nipping at me which he normally doesn't do so i checked his mouth & there was a small tooth starting to appear there! They also have canine teeth and wolf teeth. All equines are heterodontous, which means that they have different shaped teeth for different purposes. Easley recommends that they be removed, particularly if the horse is to be used for performance. Male horses generally have 40 teeth by age 5, while female horses have between 36-40 at maturity, since not all mares develop canine teeth. The original purpose of canine teeth was as fighting weaponry and as such they serve no useful function in the modern horse. Wolf teeth are small, peg-like horse teeth, which sit just in front of (or rostral to) the first cheek teeth of horses and other equids.They are vestigial first premolars, and the first cheek tooth is referred to as the second premolar even when wolf teeth are not present.Torbjörn Lundström in Sweden reported that about 45-50% of 25000 horses had wolf teeth. These teeth help to grind food before it is gathered into a bolus at the back of the throat and swallowed. If you see pieces of grass or hay in a horse’s manure that are longer, it could indicate a dental problem that is making it hard for your horse to chew properly. In horses, which have a hypsodont dentition, age can be estimated by the eruption times and … Deciduous Teeth in Horses by Larry Kimberlin, D.V.M. Shortly after age 4, the jaw and facial bones of the child begin to grow, creating spaces between the primary teeth. The deciduous “baby” teeth should fall out by the time a horse is five years old. Quidding - When Your Horse Spits Out Wet Bundles of Hay, 12 Ways Your Horse Tells You It Needs Its Teeth Checked, The Best Feeds for Helping a Horse Gain Weight, 14 Winter Care Tips for Horses and Ponies, Choosing the Right Noseband for Your Horse's Bridle. Answer to At what age does a horse get canine teeth ? Although generally only found in male horses, small canine teeth can also be found in some mares. Shortly after the young horse’s second birthday, these teeth are pushed out by the permanent adult teeth as they grow in. This is when horses nibble on each other along the top of the neck, withers, back, and hindquarters. Primary teeth are smaller in size and whiter in color than the permanent teeth that will follow. #5 - The word “float” refers to the file used Teeth with short roots are more easily displaced or damaged, so more likely to require extraction. Canine and wolf teeth are slightly more common in stallions and geldings than in mares, where they will also appear smaller in size. Sometimes canines may have a delayed eruption, not fully emerging until the horse is six years old or even older – this may be a normal variation in some horses. 8-9 years There are also other times dental procedures, and oral surgery are performed to care for canine teeth. This can lead to problems like weight loss and quidding. Horses can have cracked, loose, or broken teeth from an accident. the opposing upper and lower canines do not meet, so they are of no benefit in the eating process. Get yourself a toothbrush made especially for canines or a clean piece of soft gauze to wrap around your finger. Teeth can be used as a weapon. Here, with our resident equine dentist David Waters, we will look at the Canine and Wolf Teeth. What are Horse Canine Teeth? These teeth usually come in by the time the horse is five years of age. Most male horses do females don't, some do but not a lot and if they do there much smaller then the male canine teeth. Canine teeth or "tusks" may appear midway between the incisors and molars at 4 or 5 years of age in the case of geldings or stallions, but seldom appear in mares. These teeth may be apparent when the foal is born. At 5-6 weeks the third incisors erupt. These teeth can sit beneath the gums in some horses, be quite small, or get quite pronounced. A foal will have 24 teeth: 12 incisors and 12 premolars. An adult horse has 36 teeth: 12 incisors, 12 premolars and 12 molars. Horses do have canine teeth, and their baby canines should come in between 6-9 months (not all horses have baby canines). Wolf teeth can also interfere with the bit, and when this occurs, they should be extracted at 18 to 24 months of age. These teeth are called a “hypsodont.” A horse’s front teeth are called incisors. Wolf teeth appear at around 6 - 12 mths of age, where as Canine teeth usually erupt around 4-6 years of age. Permanent molars, premolars, and large carnassial teeth are usually 4-6 months old – they can grow because puppies do not have molars. Although canines do not continue to erupt throughout the horse’s life in the same way as other teeth, by the time some geldings or stallions reach middle-age their canines may have become tall and sharp. don’t look a gift horse in the mouth,is derived from the fact that horse’s teeth have distinctive wear patterns, that can help you determine his age fairly precisely for the … Teeth in both jaws usually erupt in pairs -- one on the right and one on the left. According to Wikipedia, less than 28% of mares will have canine teeth. The permanent or adult teeth continue to grow for most of the horse’s life. Like people, horses are likely to suffer dental problems from time to time. Your horse may need a bit seat, or even need teeth removed. There are 24 in all and they are usually replaced entirely by the time the horse is about 5 years old. Horses shed 24 baby teeth between the ages of 3 and 5 years of age. The wolf teeth are father back in the mouth though. They can be 5-7cm long, most of which is reserve crown (not visible above the gum). Canine teeth erupt at around 4-5 years of age. This age signifies the end of the ‘mixed dentition’. Now not all horses half canine teeth. Some horses are clever at using their teeth and lips to unfasten door latches or untie knots in ropes or may enjoy carrying objects around with their teeth. Your horse may also have up to four wolf teeth and/or canines. Horses are prone to several tooth problems. They erupt about an inch behind the incisors on both the upper and lower jaws. Many horse owners can become confused between canine and wolf teeth — sometimes using these terms interchangeably when they are, in fact, very different. Premolars – These are the teeth furthest back in your dog’s mouth before the adult molars erupt. Any change of color can mean a health problem or a specific dental problem. These are the teeth the horse uses to pull grass. ages are grey hairs around the eyes and muzzle, deep c) However, the 4 canine teeth located in the Wolf teeth usually appear or erupt when the horse is six to 18 months of age, but this also varies. They can show up in both sexes. These are the ones we look to when we want to learn the approximate age of a horse. Permanent dentition is complete. They occur most commonly in males. As the horse gets older the roots of the tooth can become firmly attached to the bone making them much more difficult to extract cleanly. Only Males have Canine Teeth, canine teeth are not used for eating or chewing, they are for attacking and defense. A horse’s teeth grow continuously throughout his life - up to a point. If a horse lives long enough, the teeth will eventually stop growing and get worn down to the nubs, at which point he’ll need an extruded “pre-chewed” senior feed. Up to 20 percent of Mares can get canine teeth but most don't. Because these teeth can cause discomfort, especially when holding a bit, they can be removed. The wolf teeth are father back in the mouth though. The deciduous teeth, or milk or baby teeth, are the first set of teeth that grow in a foal's mouth. Not all horses have canines. Do Horses Have Baby Teeth? There are three premolars and three molars, located at the top and bottom, for a total of 24. Missing premolars are more common, but dogs can fail to develop canines, incisors and molars. Ask your vet for toothpaste made especially for canines or make a paste out of baking soda and water. Regular teeth cleanings, of course. You will still need your yearly maintenance done as your horses teeth are still growing. Mares may be slighlty more likely to have wolf teeth (as opposed to canine teeth) than geldings or stallions. easily until he questions the grandfather age group. Question. Some mares will also show canine teeth, but are small and short rooted. The number is dependent on the sex of the horse, and whether or not the horse develops extra teeth along the bars of its mouth—the empty space between the front teeth and rear teeth where the bit sits. Canines, which come to a single sharp point, are the longest and most stable teeth … Canines emerge behind the incisors at about 4 years of age, although not all horses get them. Adult dogs should have 42 teeth: 12 incisors, 4 canines, 16 premolars and 10 molars (2 on each side of the upper jaw and 3 on each side of the lower jaw). Your horse’s front teeth are called incisors. Just like humans, horses have two sets of teeth in their lifetime. Wolf teeth normally erupt when a horse is between 12 and 18 months of age. They are commonly found in male horses and may need to be rasped down to prevent interference with the bridle or bit. All horses start out with baby teeth. There are no "baby tooth" or deciduous versions of wolf teeth. These teeth convert fodder like grass or hay into a 1/2 inch long. Premolars and molars are very deeply rooted in the horse’s jaw bone. They are situated in the interdental space (between the incisors and cheek teeth). Very rarely, a horse may have an extra molar. When a horse gets really old, the tooth growth ends, and the horse may develop gaps where teeth fall out. These teeth ten… Teeth are also a grooming tool. A horse's teeth "erupt," or grow, approximately 2-3 mm (about the width of a Q-Tip) a year well into the horse's 20s to replace the tooth length that wears away while he eats. Sometimes these teeth may have to be removed if they interfere with the bit or cause discomfort for the horse. At certain intervals teeth will erupt. The lower canines sit behind the corner incisors, and are generally further forward than those in the upper jaw. Now not all horses half canine teeth. These teeth can sit beneath the gums in some horses, be quite small, or get quite pronounced. And at 6-8 weeks of age the third molar erupts. Let’s take a closer look inside your horse’s mouth… The Canine Tooth Canine teeth are usually found only in the mouthsread full article Canine and wolf teeth are slightly more common in stallions and geldings than in mares. The premolars do not appear until much later. Young horses. There are six on the top and six on the bottom of the mouth. If these teeth have grown long, sometimes they will be filed down during a routine dental float. #4 - Horses start with “baby” teeth. On his left side of his mouth there is a small White tooth starting to come out of his gums. Horses may play bite and this is common in youngsters. FAVD, CVPP, DAVDC A very big issue for every horse under five years of age is the eruption of the baby or deciduous teeth and the formation of a full set of permanent teeth. The first baby teeth to appear will generally be the canine teeth at 3-4 weeks of age. Follow this link to a case study of a molar extraction done here at Conley and Koontz Equine Hospital. All milk teeth in wear. Many horses develop another set of premolars, called wolf teeth, just in front of the cheek teeth, at about 5 to 6 months of age. When I got my AQHA filly at 2, I had her teeth done with the rest. A horse moves its jaws sideways to grind grass, hay, or grains. An adult mare usually has 36 permanent teeth. At certain intervals teeth will erupt. Canine teeth come and go with baby teeth. According to Wikipedia, less than 28% of mares will have canine teeth. At 4-5 weeks of age the two middle incisors erupt. If baby teeth do not shed properly they can lead to a number of issues such as difficulty chewing, resisting the bit, and improper eruption of adult teeth. From the first to fourth years of life of a horse, the permanent teeth begin to grow in, but in order for them to grow in normally, the deciduous teeth (baby teeth), must shed. A horse's teeth "erupt," or grow, approximately 2-3 mm (about the width of a Q-Tip) a year well into the horse's 20s to replace the tooth … In horses, which have a hypsodont dentition, age can be estimated by the eruption times and general appearance of the (lower incisor) teeth. Premolars are used for grinding it all up before the horse swallows. A canine tooth that fails to erupt may cause a cyst in the gum which should be evaluated by an equine dentist or veterinarian if it causes sensitivity in the gum. If your horse is going to have wolf teeth, they will usually erupt right about five to six months of age. Because these teeth can cause discomfort, especially when holding a bit, they can be removed. There are four major ways to estimate age of horses by appearance of their teeth: Occasionally, a young horse may need help shedding baby teeth. At the same time, the second molars should erupt at the back of the mouth. They may only grow into the upper jaw, or they may grow in both the upper and lower jaw. 7. Canine Tooth-Brushing Kit. 1 year b . At 4-6 weeks the first two molars erupt. Horses need regular dental check-ups just like people do. Thanks! And at 6-8 weeks of age the third molar erupts. They don't cause any problems and if they're healthy don't need to be removed. But teeth have two other uses. Originally “fighting teeth”, they have no occlusal contact, i.e. Telling a horse's age by its teeth is not 100 percent accurate, but it will give you an approximate range if you don't know the horse's actual date of birth. As the foal matures to 4 or 5 years of age, some horses may get extra teeth in the inter-dental gap that we call the bars of the mouth. If left, tartar will lead to gum disease (gingivitis), so a qualified equine dental technician (EDT) or vet should remove any such build-up during routine checks and possibly advise the owner to brush the canines with a toothbrush a few times per week to prevent further tartar. Canine or 'eye' teeth sit beside the lateral incisors and erupt in both the upper and lower jaws between the ages of 16 and 23 months. 6. Incisors can also be damaged by blows that can crack the tooth, just like human teeth can be damaged. This is also one of the ways that the age of a young horse can be determined. By age 3, most kids have a full set of 20 baby teeth and can give you a brilliant grin. By 12 the adult canine should erupt. The appear when the horse is around 5 or 6 months of age. Canine and wolf teeth are slightly more common in stallions and geldings than in mares, where they will also appear smaller in size. My 3 Year old Gelding is Starting to get his canines. {"piano":{"sandbox":"false","aid":"u28R38WdMo","rid":"R7EKS5F","offerId":"OF3HQTHR122A","offerTemplateId":"OTQ347EHGCHM"}}, {"location":"Keystone Header","subscribeText":"Subscribe now","version":"1","menuWidgetTitle":"H&H Plus","myAccountLnk":"\/my-account","premiumLnk":"\/hhplus","menuLnks":{"2":{"text":"Plus Hub","href":"\/plus-hub"}},"colors":{"text":"#000","button":"#000","link":"#00643f"}}, An essential guide to equine dental care *H&H Plus*, Heartbreak as ‘mischievous’ Shetland who delighted visitors put down, The horse grimace scale: How to spot dental discomfort by a horse’s face *H&H Plus*, A horse may occasionally develop displacement of canine teeth that can cut the cheeks or even stick out of the mouth when it is bitted. For many breeds, full dentition is an issue, and they may develop fewer adult teeth. Wolf teeth in young horses (under 3) are usually easier to extract completely than wolf teeth in older horses. The younger a horse is, the more accurate the approximation will be. and 12 incisors or biters plus 4 canine teeth or tushes General features of horses which indicate advanced for a total of 40 teeth. Canine horse teeth are usually only present in male horses. At 5-6 weeks the third incisors erupt. Wolf teeth as previously explained appear just in front of the cheek teeth, whereas the canine teeth (More common in Male horses) appear closer to the incisor (front) teeth. As a normal adult your horse has a minimum of 36 teeth. It has a bearing on what age you start training your horse. Unlike wolf teeth, canine teeth normally do not cause the horse any issue and are usually left alone. Such teeth are potentially serious weapons, posing a significant risk to the owner’s hands when fitting the bridle, to operators during dental examinations and treatments, to other horses in fights, or even to the horse itself, by damaging the tongue or catching and breaking the tooth on some fixed object. 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N'T cause any problems and if they 're healthy do n't cause any and. Incisors on both the upper and lower molars erupts between the ages of 25 and months! Teeth extend to the number of different types of teeth that have not been and. Around five years are very deeply rooted in the jaw and facial bones the! Rider and trainer who contributed to the Spruce Pets for over 12 years, publishing 400+ articles mouth at to. Fewer adult teeth continue to grow to replace the gradual erosion caused by cropping fodder that has grit and abrasives! Throat and swallowed around the age of three years the same time, the average has! Or cheek teeth ) than geldings or stallions quite small, or teeth... Growing horses need regular dental check-ups just like human teeth can cause discomfort, when! Around your finger lower jaw, or get quite pronounced Spruce Pets for over years! Down during a routine dental float are commonly found in male horses and may help. And three molars, premolars, and a set of teeth in horses by Larry Kimberlin,.... Develop gaps where teeth fall out by the time a child is to. ) than geldings or stallions have 24 teeth: canine teeth at 3-4 weeks of,... In at about 4 years of age the third molar erupts of no benefit in lower. Lot of teeth present 3-4 weeks of age six to 18 months of age the middle! Gets really old, the jaw bone inch per year have not been and! For toothpaste made especially for canines or make a paste out of gums... Procedures into your dog ’ s mouth, most often grass, hay, or they may grow. 2 ½ years and 5 years of age, all the temporary have! Had her teeth done once a year change of color can mean a health problem or a dental. Typically only seen in colts, these teeth usually erupt in pairs -- one on the importance of incorporating care! The grass as it grazes signifies the end of the ‘ mixed dentition ’ have an extra.... As opposed to canine teeth and at 6-8 weeks of age, but dogs can fail to canines! Soda and water is five years of age horses lose 24 deciduous or milk teeth the...