312 Stable Vices and Whims 



with his front feet. The scanthng hurts the cannons 

 when the horse doubles them back under him, and 

 to avoid the pain he ceases to practice the habit. 



Lying down in harness. — This is a very annoying 

 habit, as the horse soils and may even break the har- 

 ness. It is due perhaps to insufficient exercise. To 

 overcome the vice, when in harness tie the horse up by 

 the head so very short that he cannot lie down, but 

 as soon as the harness is removed lengthen his tie- 

 strap to the normal. 



Chewing tie-strap. — Occasionally the horse con- 

 tracts the habit of chewing his tie-strap. It is prob- 

 ably due to the salty taste of the leather, as he usually 

 begins by licking and finally takes to chewing the 

 strap. To overcome the habit some horsemen 

 recommend to keep rock salt before the horse for him 

 to lick, although the best plan seems to be that of 

 substituting a chain for the leather strap. 



Eating the bedding. — This is a very aggravating 

 habit and a rather common one. In fact, the horse 

 does not always stop with eating his bedding, but 

 may eat certain kinds of earth as well, or plastering 

 from the stable walls. The causes of the habit are 

 not well understood, as it often occurs in horses that 

 are receiving what is considered a balanced ration. 

 It seems to be a craving for certain minerals. It may 

 give rise to serious consequences, as the horse often 

 suffers from colic, the result of overfeeding on such 

 material. When once confirmed, the habit is rather 



