3 10 THE HORSE. 



glottis or covering of the wind-pipe, to convey air to the stomach, we arc 

 inclined .o conclude, that this fixed point is used to enable the animal to 

 accomplish tiiis alteration, and suck up and convey a portion of air into 

 the stomach. 



The elfcct of crib-biting is plain enough. The teeth are injured and 

 worn away, and that, in an old horse, to a very serious degree ; a consider- 

 able quantity of corn is often lost, for the iiorse will frequently crib with his 

 mouth full of corn, the greater part of vvliich will fall over tiie edge of the 

 manger; and much saliva flows out while the manger is thus forcibly held, 

 the loss of which must be of serious detriment, as impairing the digestion. 

 The crib-biting horse is notoriously more subject to colic than other horses 

 usually are, and to a species dilHcult of treatment, and even dangerous. 

 Although many a crib-biter is stout and strong, and capable of all ordinary 

 work, these horses do not generally carry much flesh, and liave not tlie 

 endurance of others. On these accounts, crib-biting has very properly been 

 decided to be unsoundness. 



It is one of those tricks which are very contagious. Every companion 

 of a crib-biter in the same stables is likely to acquire the habit, and it is 

 the most inveterate of all habits. The edge of the manger will in vain be 

 lined with iron, or with sheep-skin, or with sheep-skin covered with tar or 

 aloes, or any other unpleasant substance. In defiance of the aimoyance 

 which these may occasion, the horse will in a very short time again attack 

 his manger. A strap buckled tightly round the neck, by compressing the 

 wind-pipe, will prevent the possibility of this action ; but the strap must be 

 constantly worn, and its pressure is too apt to produce a worse affection, 

 viz: an irritation in the wind-pipe, which terminates in roaring. 



Some have recommended turning out for five or six months; but this 

 has never succeeded, except with a young horse, and then rarely. The 

 old crib-biter will employ the gate for the same purpose as the edge of hia 

 n)anger, and we have seen him gallop across a field for the mere object 

 of having a gripe at a rail. Medicines, in cases similar to this, will be 

 altogether thrown away. 



The only remedy is a muzzle, with bars across the bottom; sufliciently 

 wide to enable the animal to pick up his corn, and to pull his hay, but not 

 to grasp the edge of the manger. If this be worn a very long time, the 

 horse may be tired of attempting that which he cannot accomplish, and 

 may possibly for a while forget the habit; but in the majority of cases the 

 desire of crib-biting will return with the power of gratifying it. 



The causes of crib-biting are various, and some of them beyond the 

 control of the proprietor of the horse. We have said that it is often the 

 result of imij:ation ; but it is more frequently the consequence of idleness. 

 The high-fed and spirited horse must be in mischief, if he is not usefully 

 employed. Sometimes, but we believe not often, it is produced by partial 

 otarvation, whether in a bad straw-yard, or from unpalatable food. An 

 occasional cause of crib-biting is the frequent custom of grooms, even when 

 the weather is not severe, of dressing them in the stable. The horse either 

 catches at the edge of the manger, or at the edge of the partition on each 

 side, if he has been turned, and thus he forms the habit of laying hold of 

 these substances on every occasion. 



WIND- SUCKING. 



This bears a cose analogy to crib-biting. It arises from the same c.iuse.'^i 

 the same purpose is accomplished; and the same results follow. Tho 

 horse stands with his neck ben*; his head drawn inward; his lips flter 



