Editing Horse (section)

===Teeth===
{{Main|Horse teeth}}

Horses are adapted to [[grazing]]. In an adult horse, there are 12&nbsp;[[incisor]]s at the front of the mouth, adapted to biting off the grass or other vegetation. There are 24&nbsp;teeth adapted for chewing, the [[premolar]]s and [[Molar (tooth)|molars]], at the back of the mouth. Stallions and geldings have four additional teeth just behind the incisors, a type of [[Canine tooth|canine teeth]] called "tushes". Some horses, both male and female, will also develop one to four very small [[Vestigiality|vestigial]] teeth in front of the molars, known as "wolf" teeth, which are generally removed because they can interfere with the [[bit (horse)|bit]]. There is an empty interdental space between the incisors and the molars where the bit rests directly on the gums, or "bars" of the horse's mouth when the horse is [[bridle]]d.<ref>{{cite book |last=Kreling |first=Kai |title=Horses' Teeth and Their Problems: Prevention, Recognition, and Treatment |chapter-url=https://books.google.com/books?id=3q1LINmOkOIC&pg=PA117-IA1 |year=2005 |publisher=Globe Pequot |location=Guilford, CT |isbn=1-59228-696-8 |chapter=The Horse's Teeth |oclc=59163221 |pages=12–13 }}{{Dead link|date=April 2023 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref>

An estimate of a horse's age can be made from looking at its teeth. The teeth continue to erupt throughout life and are worn down by grazing. Therefore, the incisors show changes as the horse ages; they develop a distinct wear pattern, changes in tooth shape, and changes in the angle at which the chewing surfaces meet. This allows a very rough estimate of a horse's age, although diet and veterinary care can also affect the rate of tooth wear.<ref name=Ensminger46>[[#Ensminger|Ensminger]], pp. 46–50</ref>