CRIll-BITING. 67 



well known, that crib-biters are very liable to 

 attacks of cholic, in consequence of their filling 

 their stomach and bowels with air : and this may, 

 often does, carry the horse off after an hour's ill 

 ness. So that the buyer should think well, 

 before he makes up his mind to keep a crib- 

 biter. He often makes himself quite unfit for great 

 exertion, by distending the stomach in such 

 a manner as to impede his breathing. 



The Teeth 



In front of the lower jaw are examined to 

 ascertain the animal's age. As few horses 

 change hands before they are three years old, 

 I might be content with describing the appear- 

 ances which the teeth present after that period : 

 but as it requires little room, and may possibly 

 be of use in some cases, I shall begin with the 

 colt's mouth soon after his birth. 



The horse, like many other animals, has two 

 sets of teeth ; the first, called the temporary or 

 milk teeth, are in general all above the gums 

 by the time the colt is six or eight months old; 

 and soon after he is two years, these drop out 



