2007-09-25 07:31:31 · 8 answers · asked by babyrn325@verizon.net 1 in Society & Culture ➔ Mythology & Folklore
Mr. Ringler has given you part of the answer. The fact is that most experts can tell the age of a horse and also get a good idea of its health by looking at the horse's teeth. The idea is that you would not need to bother with all that, if you are getting the animal as a gift, as you are not spending any money on purchasing it. So, basically, what it means is that you should not wory about the quality or the financial value of a gift -- just accept a gift with thanks.
2007-09-25 07:46:40 · answer #1 · answered by Anpadh 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I'm going to take it a step further. Looking at the horses teeth could tell you if it was a grain fed, a hay fed (cheap or expensive hay) or a range fed horse. The tiny bits of gravel in cheap hay, could grind down teeth fast, and just looking at the teeth could throw you off a good pony that was just fed bad. Therefore, not only should you not look in free horses mouth because it could be old, but the grinding down of the teeth might bring on an embarrassed explanation from a friend that was giving you a horse in hard times.
2007-09-25 14:37:52 · answer #2 · answered by Terry 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You can tell a horses age from it's teeth, so when you would buy a horse you would look in it's mouth to see it's age. If it's a gift though you shouldn't be picky. It's saying be happy with what you got.
2007-09-25 07:50:14 · answer #3 · answered by believer 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes. You tell a horse's age by checking the wear on its teeth. It's basically saying to appreciate the gift without worrying how long it may last!
2007-09-25 09:24:00 · answer #4 · answered by Cat 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I guess it comes from that people use to judge the condition of a horse by his teeth. If the horse looked fine all over but had bad teeth they didn't buy the horse. I guess it was best not to look at his teeth, if you like the rest of him. Just my opinion. Smile...
2007-09-25 07:53:10 · answer #5 · answered by Spirit Dancer 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
not a horse only but other animals too if they wanted to tell their age they looked on their mouth even people too the more teeth the younger it was the better younger horses run faster too !!
2007-09-25 08:18:59 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
In order to tell if a hourse was worth buying, the prospective buyer would typicaly check the teeth so "look in his mouth" and that saying came from ....if someone is giving you something....dont be checking to see if its good enough...Cuz "Its free"
2007-09-25 07:36:20 · answer #7 · answered by Mr.OldGuy 2 · 3⤊ 0⤋
Not sure but I think Mr. Ed said that to W-i-l-l-l-ber once.
2007-09-25 08:28:41 · answer #8 · answered by Sal D 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋