158 HOUSE PORTRAITURE. 



The first is considered by many an unsoundness, as well 

 as a disagreeable habit, and they would reject a horse, no 

 matter how good, or ever so well suited to the business 

 they wanted him to perform, if he possessed this trick. 

 I do not look at it in this light, and apart from the an- 

 noyance of listening to the sound usually made by those 

 addicted, am not aware that it injures the animal. The 

 idea that they " suck wind " enough to make them any 

 more liable to colic or rupture of the intestines, is cer- 

 tainly false in all that have come under my observation. 

 One of the finest " Gentleman's Horses " I ever knew was 

 a confirmed crib biter. He was a large, brown gelding, 

 nearly sixteen hands high, stylish and showy, had trotted 

 in 2:28, could pull a wagon almost that fast, gentle and 

 reliable in every place. If there was anything he could 

 lay his teeth on he was sure to crib, yet always kept 

 easy ; would stand an immense amount of work, and trot 

 long distances, but was never, to my knowledge, sick a 

 day in his life. The last I knew of him, he was owned by a 

 gentleman in Cincinnati, who valued him very highly for 

 his many good qualities. When horses have once ac- 

 quired this habit, I doubt if they ever forget it. By 

 having a box or stall sealed up perfectly smooth, they 

 cannot get hold of anything, and few horses wilt crib if 

 thus kept, though some press their teeth against the 

 smooth side and accomplish it. There is a muzzle made, 

 through which horses can pick up their feed without 

 being able either to bite or get hold of anything with 

 their teeth. It is made with two small iron bars, joined 

 to the nose band of the halter, far enough apart to allow 

 motion of the lips sufficient to pick up their food. 



Weaving is another very perplexing habit, acquired 

 from, I know not what, and when once learned I never 

 could cure it. Fretful, high tempered horses are most 

 prone to acquire it, and when at full work generally quit 



