CRIB-BITING. 67 



forming a fulcrum, over which the posterior straight liga- 

 ment passes — this condition favoring a sprain of the liga- 

 ment, which is called curb. (See Curb.) 



Cramp. — Cramp of the stomach or bowels of horses, 

 cannot readily be distinguished from spasmodic colic, 

 (which see.) 



Cramp of the Hind Leg. — This affection is com- 

 mon among young horses of an irritable temperament. It 

 is often mistaken for dislocation of the patella, sometimes 

 called luxation of the patella, (which see.) 



Symptoms. The horse will persistently refuse to move 

 the leg from the position in which it is placed. Quivering 

 or excitement of the muscles of the thigh, accompanied 

 with irritation and fever. The horse cannot be moved, as 

 he refuses to do so. 



Causes. Irregularity of the nervous system. 



Treatment. Move the animal, if it be possible, and the 

 cramp will give way. Dashing cold water against the 

 thigh will often remove it. The horse will get well, if 

 time be only given him. Thus, if a person leave the sta- 

 ble to tell some one of the matter, he will be surprised, on 

 coming back, to find the horse well. 



Crib-Biting. — This is not a disease, but a vice — a bad 

 habit, which the horse has learned, of sucking wind into 

 the stomach by placing his lips against the manger. The 

 habit has been so strong in some horses, that when they 

 could get no place to press the lips against, they have 

 stooped down and placed the lips against the arm of their 

 own front leg. This vice is sometimes called wind-sucking. 



Causes. Idleness, indigestion, and learning it from other 

 animals in the same stable. 



Prevention, Keep horses in loose boxes, or other places 



