4 ms·

Horses had canines for fighting, not for eating.

• jessaustin 13y ago
  Really? Any cite for that? Kipling doesn't count! I've seen lots of horse fights, among individuals with and without wolf-teeth. In few of those were the bites even deep enough along the mandible to engage the canines, and in no case did the bite come from the side to emphasize the canine.
  • tspiteri 13y ago
    I found it here: http://www.horseandhound.co.uk/horse-care/horse-care-tips/canine-teeth-in-horses/ http://www.horseandhound.co.uk/horse-care/horse-care-tips/ca... The relevant part follows: Originally “fighting teeth”, they have no occlusal contact, i.e. the opposing upper and lower canines do not meet, so they are of no benefit in the eating process.
    • jessaustin 13y ago
      Somewhere, Steven Jay Gould is very disappointed.