DR. LEGEAR'S STOCK BOOK. 267 



CHAPTER XX. 

 HABITS. 



WIND-SUCKING. 



This is a habit similar to cribbing, and a horse affected with 

 the one generally indulges in the other; but they may be separate. 

 A wind-sucker gulps in and swallows a quantity of air and dis- 

 tends his stomach and bowels with the same. It is a very in- 

 jurious and disagreeable habit. Cribbers and wind-suckers are 

 generallv affected with indigestion, hide-bound, and poor in 

 flesh, and may take the colic at any time. We can recommend 

 no treatment for wind-sucking. 



CRIBBING. 



This is a habit of catching hold of the manger, post, fence, 

 or other object in front of the horse, with the teeth, and bearing 

 down till the neck is altered in position, so as to form a tempo- 

 rary vacuum in the pharynx, when the air rushes in to fill it, 

 making a sound not unlike the hiccoughs. It is merely a habit 

 and not a disease, and is very injurious to the animal. It is 

 claimed by some to be due to indigestion, and by others to be due 

 to an irritation in the front teeth. It is brought on in many 

 cases from idleness. An animal being kept in the stable day after 

 day with no exercise is very liable to acquire -this habit as well 

 as others. 



There is no satisfactory remedy for the trouble, but it may be 

 checked by buckling a wide strap around his neck quite tight. 

 Another means of breaking up the habit is by smearing the man- 

 is 



