DISEASES AND TREATMENT OF THE HORSE 127 



the upper side of the jaw you will find it to be worked out- 

 ward and in some cases stuck into the cheek, but if in the 

 lower it will be worked inward and stuck into the tongue. 



Treatment. — The treatment is simple and easy in the 

 majority of cases. First remove the split part with a forceps, 

 then run a float or tooth rasp several times along any sharp 

 edges and smooth them off. Should the horse be thin or in 

 poor condition follow up with tonic powders. 



8. Hanging the Tongue Out of the Mouth. 



This is a miserable habit instead of a disease, and when 

 once formed cannot be cured. 



Causes. — Injuries to the cheek or tongue are usually the 

 cause of this habit. These injuries may be the result of sharp 

 teeth. 



Symptoms. — In the majority of cases the habit is formed 

 gradually. He begins by merely holding the end of the 

 tongue between the teeth while at work. The habit grows 

 until finally while the bit is in the mouth he often allows the 

 tongue to hang out three or four inches on one side or the 

 other. " 



Treatment. — Examine the mouth carefully. If the teeth 

 are found to be sharp, float or file them in order to prevent 

 their cutting the tongue. If caused by a soreness of the 

 tongue dress it with alum water — two teaspoonfuls of alum 

 to a pint of water. This generally effects a cure if taken in 

 time. Certain kinds of bits are recommended for this habit, 

 but as a general rule they prove failures. 



9. Cribbing and Wind Sucking. 



This is a habit of chewing the manger, a fence, a post or 

 other such object and at the same time sucking wind into the 

 stomach. These two habits usually accompany each other, 

 but occasionally one is acquired without the other. Cases are 

 sometimes found where a horse sucks wind and yet does not 

 bite upon anything. 



Causes. — Sometimes a colt learns this habit by seeing 

 the mother or other horses do it. It may be caused from 

 soreness of the front teeth, a regular habit being finally 

 formed by beginning first to bite the manger to relieve them. 



Symptoms. — The front teeth are worn off from biting 

 and there is a continual hanging onto the manger. In some 



