STABLE MANAGEMENT. 11 



clinkers, with bevelled edges to allow of proper drainage, are 

 largely used, and are very good, except for the fact that they 

 are extremely slippery — a serious drawback, as nasty falls may 

 occur in the stable through this cause ; and the same objec- 

 tion applies equally to asphalt. On this ground alone I would 

 pass them both over, and take the ordinary brick, set on edge, 

 and laid in sand, on hard, dry rubbish, to a proper "fall," so 

 as to insure perfect drainage. 



In the way of litter, several new kinds have been tried with 

 a certain measure of success, but nothing equals the wheat 

 straw, either for cleanliness, appearance, or comfort, and as 

 far as regards economy it holds its own with any. 



Horses are subject to various kinds of what can hardly be 

 called vices in the stable, but which are closely akin to them. 

 I will begin with crib-hiting, i.e., seizing hold of the manger 

 with the teeth. This is a habit very difficult to deal with ; 

 to cure it is, I believe, impossible. A neck strap, buckled 

 tightly on, may do something to check it, but it inflicts con- 

 siderable inconvenience on the animal without any sufficiently 

 compensating result, and is a fruitful source of horses making 

 a noise ; whilst the muzzle, which is sometimes resorted to, 

 is inadequate. The best remedy is to have the manger edge 

 so broad that it cannot be seized, or else remove the manger 

 altogether, and feed in a box, which should be removed after 

 each meal. But when once a horse becomes a confirmed crib- 

 biter he usually loses flesh, and gets a hunted-to-death appear- 

 ance, although his appetite may never fail for a day. This 

 trick is distinctly catching, and a crib-biter should be at once 

 isolated from his companions. 



Eating the Litter may be prevented by using a setting- 

 muzzle, or by bedding the horse on sawdust, an expedient 

 often adopted in racing stables. 



Kicking and Biting, in some degree, few horses are free 

 from. There is no cure for either, and the only advice 

 possible is to look out for yourself, and always to muzzle the 

 biter before dressing, or to rack him up very short indeed. 

 Holding up a fore leg may be found useful with kickers whilst 

 they are being groomed. 



Wind-sucking is something of the same nature as crib- 

 biting, except that there is no noise made, and the nose is 

 pressed against the manger, whilst the animal quietly sucks 

 in the air till he gets unnaturally distended. The same 



