Stable Vices. 79 



Halter casting is the getting either leg over the halter, 

 and so being thrown to the ground and kept there. With 

 a rope halter, or with a chain, a very ugly wound is some- 

 times made in the struggles to free the leg, and often the 

 tendons are exposed and their sheath sadly torn. The 

 accident arises from the horse pawing with his fore-leg, or 

 trying to scratch his head with his hind foot ; while the 

 " sinker" attached to the halter is prevented from playing 

 properly, and so leaving the halter or collar-rein hanging 

 loose. The spring catch is the proper guard against this 

 accident, inasmuch as — though it does not prevent its 

 occurrence — it removes all injurious consequences, espe- 

 cially where two collar-reins are used, because the leg is 

 seldom over both in one night, and the one being liberated 

 does not affect the other, which still prevents the horse 

 from leaving his stall. 



Casting in the stall is the result of the natural tendency 

 which most horses have to roll completely over, and which, 

 in a state of freedom, is not attended with any danger ; 

 though, even in the grass-field, when the ground is hard, 

 I have known the withers seriously injured by constant 

 attempts to roll over. When, however, the attempt is made 

 in the stall, the horse often gets completely thrown upon 

 his back against the wall or the travis, and is then unable 

 to get back again, and lies powerless, yet struggling fear- 

 fully, and often to such an extent as to rupture the colon, 

 and so cause speedy death. Sometimes the horse is found 

 in the morning lying across the stall doubled up in the 

 most awkward manner, and with his legs inclining towards 

 the manger; at others, he is lying back as far as his rein 

 will allow, with his hind legs partly in the next stall, but 

 always in a helpless condition. There is no preventive 

 against the accident, but it may easily be remedied when 

 discovered, and hence the advantage of the groom sleep- 

 ing within hearing of his charge. Two or three stirrup 

 leathers buckled together, or a halter thrown over both legs, 

 will readily draw the horse over on his side, and he then 

 can get up without further assistance. 



Kicking the stall-post is injurious both to the kicker and 

 very frequently to his next neighbour, who may come in 



