2l8 ON THE HACKNEY AND HUNTER. 



from the too great weight thrown upon the 

 hocks, alfo to over-reach. 



The strinc-halt, called by the old far- 

 riers, the mary-hinchcho, every one knows 

 to be a fudden and preternatural catching up 

 one or both the hinder legs in action. The 

 caufe, obvioufly proceeding from over-contrac- 

 tion, no writer, that I know of, has attempted 

 precifely to afcertain. All receipts for its cure 

 are good waile paper. In horfes which have 

 it not in a very high degree, it is fometimes 

 fcarce perceptible, but vifible enough after a 

 hard day's work. They mould fland in a 

 loofe liable, and be as much abroad as pofftble. 

 They are not deemed unfound. I have heard 

 the late Mr. Tatter fall fay, he fcarce ever 

 knew a firing-halted horfe which was not a 

 good one. As much is generally averred in 

 favour of rat-tailed ones. Perhaps their whole 

 tendinous fyllem, is tough, firm, and dry. 



The crib-biter, formerly called a ticker ', 

 is fometimes diitinguifhed by his dead coat, 

 and thin appearance. Thefe horfes will (land 

 biting at the rack, or manger, or even at a 

 pod, throwing themfelves backward, and fuck- 

 ing in the air with greedinefs. It is a habit 

 acquired when they are young, and which 

 never forfakes them ; as I have known grown 

 chiM reii, of thirty years of age, fuck their 

 tongues. Crib-biters are apt to ruin their 



teeth. 



