ARTIFICIAL IRREGULARITIES. 



151 



thickness of the maxilla, the obliquity of the shortened teeth, 

 and their size as they emerge from the gums (Fig. 155, b, c, d). 



Fig. 156 shows the wearing produced by vertical objects, 

 — halter-straps, which the animal renders tense by backing to its 

 full length ; wires, small chains, etc. 



Most horses crib only on a given character of object, and 

 when removed to another stall, or fastened so that they cannot 

 reach the regular resting-place, may stop the habit for a time or 

 be broken of it entirely. Others will, sooner or later, find some 

 other body that suits them and commence again ; so that the 

 same animal may have two sorts of crib-markings. Others, 

 when tied up, will learn to crib in the air. 



Fig. 156. 

 Cribbing on vertical edge of foreign body, or on halter-strap. 



The rasp and file are sometimes used by dealers to shorten 

 the incisors, and, while adding a little to the apparent age of 

 the animal, remove the bevel which shows the habit of cribbing. 

 A careful examination will always show a roughened surface, 

 however, unlike the smooth polish of a naturally-worn table. 



ARTIFICIAL IRREGULARITIES. 



From time immemorial, the lower class of horse-dealer, like 

 his congener in any other trade, has studied to learn and practice 

 deceptive means for giving his articles for sale an apparent 

 greater value than they really have. With this view, the dis- 

 honest breeder in the country attempts to hasten the appearance 

 of age of his colts, to place them on the market as adult ani- 

 mals, and save a year's feed and cost of care when they are yet 



