384 MANUAL OF MODERN FARRIERY. 



fore we shall not indulge in any speculative opinions as to 

 its origin. 



One serious eifect 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. Whether 

 this proceeds from the loss of saliva occasioned by the wear- 

 ing down of the teeth is still an unsettled point. 



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 windpipe, 

 and rendering it impossible to resort to it ; but no sooner is 

 the strap removed, than the horse recommences his old 

 habit, so that it must be constantly worn to be of use. 

 But the continual use of it is apt to produce irritation in 

 the trachea, and this will terminate in the affection termed 

 roaring, which we have particularly described at page 76. 

 A five or six months' run in a field has also been tried 

 without proving a remedy. Crib- biters are generally in 

 low condition. 



A muzzle barred across the bottom will prevent crib- 

 biting. This must be made only of sufiicient width to 

 allow full action to the lips, so that the animal may pull 

 his hay from the rack and eat his corn, but so close as not 

 to admit of him grasping the edge of the manger. Crib- 

 biting is legally considered unsoundness- 



