CRIB-BITING 357 



the case, it may be expected that sooner or later the 

 animal will meet with an accident which will render 

 him useless. 



CRIB-BITING. 



Crib-biting is one of the worst habits which a horse 

 can acquire, and is seldom or ever cured. The horse 

 seizes the manger with his teeth while he stretches his 

 neck forward, and after some spasmodic action of the 

 throat, a slight grunting sound is uttered, which 

 appears to be accompanied by a drawing in of air. 

 The cause of this trick is not yet well understood ; 

 and whether it proceeds from a bad habit, or a defect 

 in the formation of the soft palate and back part of 

 the mouth, still remains undiscovered ; and therefore 

 we shall not indulge in any speculative opinions as to 

 its origin. 



One serious effect of this trick is the wearing down 

 of the teeth ; and instances have occurred where they 

 have been broken. It has likewise been found that 

 crib-biters are more liable to colic than those without 

 this vice. 



It has been found that crib-biting is acquired by 

 horses being in the stable with one which has the 

 trick. Among the expedients which have been 

 resorted to for the cure of crib-biting, the edge of the 

 manger has been lined with iron ; also with sheep-skin 

 besmeared with aloes, tar, and other disagreeable 

 substances, but all with no effect. The only thing in 

 this case is to resort to a preventive, and that will be 

 found in the use of a strap buckled tightly round the 

 neck, which has the effect of compressing the wind- 

 pipe, and rendering it impossible to resort to it ; but 

 no sooner is the strap removed, than the horse re- 

 commences his old habit, so that it must be constantly 



