COMMON UNSOUNDNESSES. 177 



fore- feet. The only remedy I know is to draw a red- 

 hot knitting needle, or something similar, across the 



Fig. 28. 



hoof above the crack, and burn the hoof right 

 through the track the crack would take. This 

 partly melts the horn, and may stop the crack from 

 spreading, and then as the foot grows the cracked 

 part will gradually be cut away by the blacksmith. 



String-halt is another doubtful unsoundness. 

 This is when a horse takes up one of his hind legs 

 higher than usual with a jerk or click. Unless it is 

 bad, as far as my knowledge goes, a horse is no 

 worse for it. 



Crib-biting is a trick, and is sometimes called an 

 unsoundness and sometimes a vice. A horse that is 

 warranted both sound and free from vice can be 

 returned for it, as not answering the description. 



It consists in the horse seizing the manger or 

 the top of a gate or a rail with his teeth, and 

 apparently swallowing a mouthful of air at the same 

 time, making a noise something like a hiccup. It is 



