CHAPTER X 



VICE 



It is impossible to frame any accurate definition as to what 

 does or does not constitute vice in the horse. It is a 

 question of degree and can only be appropriately regarded 

 in this light. Minor vices may not in any way interfere 

 with the animal's health or with its usefulness, whereas 

 in other cases a vicious habit may render the animal 

 perfectly useless. Some forms of vice are disclosed in 

 the stable, others out of it, either whilst in harness or when 

 being ridden. Some horses are so vicious as to render 

 them unapproachable, much less employable for any 

 useful purpose. In this last Great War, quite a number of 

 horses of this description were purchased but had to be 

 destroyed in consequence of their dangerous proclivities. 

 Doubtless a good deal of the vice is acquired as the result 

 of bad treatment, which horses are not slow in remembering. 

 Minor stable vices comprise pawing in the stable and 

 scraping the bedding to one side, eating the bedding, 

 kicking at the stall-post, tearing bandages and clothing, 

 biting whilst being groomed, etc. Wind-sucking, weaving 

 and crib-biting are usually regarded as vices when 

 discovered of sufficient importance for the rejection of the 

 animal on the ground of unsoundness. A wind-sucker 

 certainly is unsound, whilst a weaver never remains still 

 when in the stable. Continual movement of the head 

 from side to side wears out muscular energy in front of the 

 body, therefore this represents unsoundness. Horses 

 which are kickers in harness and very often given to 

 bolting as well are perfectly useless, owing to the fact 



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