It is fitting to group the equine canine and first premolar (wolf) teeth together in this paper because of their unique differences from the other hypsodont teeth of the horse. These brachydont or simple crowned teeth, although inconsistent in numberamong individual horses, are positioned in the di-astema or interdental space between the incisors and cheek teeth when present. Because of their position and proximity to the bit, they have historically caused concern for riders and reinsmen. The earliest equid (Hyracotherium) is characterized by the primitive placental mammalian dental formula of three incisors, one canine, four premo-lars, and three molars in each dental quadrant. The canine teeth have consistently been large and sexually dimorphic (larger in males). During equid evolution, the anterior—most cheek teeth (first premolars)—failed to molarize, either becoming small, relatively functionless teeth or being lost completely. This inconsistency in eruption accounts for the variation in the adult equine dental formula, which ranges from 36 to 44 teeth.
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