110 CRIBBING. 



forced down much beyond its natural position. This, then, 

 is the key, through which we can reach and control the 

 habit successfully. Have the throat-latch of the halter 

 hang on a line with the top of the head to the junction 

 of the neck with the head. Take a piece of strap (good 

 firm leather), about five inches in length, and as wide as 

 the throat-latch. Drive ten-ounce tacks in a row along 

 the centre of this strap, half an inch apart. File the 

 points sharp, and of equal length. Lay this strap on the 

 inside of the throat-latch where it crosses the larynx, wind 

 a piece of waxed thread around both, at the centre and 

 ends of the short strap. Buckle the throat-latch just long 

 enough, so that it will not touch the neck when eating or 

 drinking, but will press sharply at the least attempt to 

 crib. The result is, that at every attempt to crib, the 

 tacks will stick into the neck, which will hurt and discon- 

 cert the horse from doing so. 



The point of success will depend upon the perfection 

 and care with which this is kept adjusted. If there is 

 large muscular development on the neck, or thick-necked, 

 the strap must be buckled shorter than when the neck is 

 well cut out, as it is termed. Make the reproof severe at 

 first. Then keep it so as to touch sharply when a repeti- 

 tion is attempted. If the throat-latch is not on a line with 

 the top of the head, the tacks will rest against and cut the 

 jaw, a little below the junction of the head with the neck. 

 If this is kept on a few days or weeks, and then put on 

 carelessly, or taken off, there is likely to be a failure ; for 

 if the horse finds he can crib once after this is put on, 

 without hurting himself, he will be encouraged to repeat 

 the effort, and will punish himself severely to do so. But 

 if punished at first, and this kept where it will hurt keenly 

 at the least attempt to crib, and left on a few weeks, you 

 ought to be successful. It will not do to buckle a strap 

 around the neck. The adjustment must be made to the 

 strap of the halter, and the halter must fit nicely to the 

 head. To do this, it must be made like a bridle, with 

 brow-piece, so that it will not shift or move on the head. 

 I have no trouble now with the habit. A common boy 

 broke five in succession, a few years ago : he became 

 careless and failed on the sixth. There is, once in a while, 



