STABLE MANAGEMENT. 8l 



holes throughout its length like a tin whistle, so that when it is 

 adjusted, suction cannot be exerted owing to the impossibility of 

 completely closing the mouth ; it is an effectual preventive whilst worn, 

 but unfortunately it is not always replaced immediately after work or 

 feeding, and so the animal gets an opportunity to fill himself with 

 wind, of which he takes full advantage. A piece of thick indiarubber Another 

 tubing, with a strap passing through it, fastened around the lower jaw variety of 

 just behind the tushes, will sometimes have the same effect, but is not strap, 

 invariably successful. Muzzles of various patterns with the object of Muzzles, 

 preventing the teeth grasping or leaning against the manger have been 

 tried, but are not sufficiently successful to warrant their adoption. 

 Crib-biters may be put into a loose box with four blank walls and Four blank 

 nothing to lay hold of, until they learn to windsuck, or they may be walls, 

 turned about in the stall and kept constantly on the pillar reins ; Placing on 

 but no means of effecting a permanent cure has yet been found. pillar 



The effect of the constant pressure of the incisor teeth of the crib- '"^J^s. 

 biter against the manger or other hard objects, results in the fronts of 

 the teeth of both the upper and lower jaw getting worn away, and in 

 bad cases they may be down to the level of the gums. 



Indigestion and colic also frequently result from windsucking and 

 crib-biting, and as the habits are easily acquired by others, horses that 

 practise them should be separated as far as practicable. 



Biting is a vice more common in stallions than in mares or geldings. Biting, 

 though occasionally savages may be met with in all three. A playful 

 habit of snatching at the man whilst being groomed which some horses 

 display, may not come under the head of viciousness, but as the results 

 are equally painful, it should not be encouraged by unnecessary tickling. 

 A wicked biter, when being groomed or otherwise handled, may be 

 rendered safe for the time, by a thick wooden bit which prevents the 

 teeth being closed ; or by a side stick. A side stick is a short stick 

 reaching from the cheek piece of the head collar to the roller or sur- 

 cingle and tied to each. It allows vertical but not lateral motion of the 

 head. 



Tearing the clothing is another bad stable habit which is very per- Tearing 

 sistent when once acquired, and can only be absolutely prevented by the 

 the use of a stout leather guard fixed on the head collar. This should be clothing, 

 of sole leather, fastened to the back strap of the noseband and 

 sufficiently deep to reach well below the level of the lips ; this will 

 render it impossible for the clothing to be reached by the teeth, and 

 as it is permanently attached to the head collar, it is always in place 

 when required. 



(b 10948) Y 



