146 ' WIND-SUCKING AND CRIB-BITING 



a tiiTie he learns not only to * crib,' as such biting 

 of the woodwork is termed, but also to inhale wind . 

 during the action of cribbino^. When once the habit 

 is formed, a horse will somehow or other manage to 

 continue it unless means are taken to prevent his so 

 doing. It is a good plan, therefore, with such animals 

 to remove all manger-fittings, etc., and to feed them 

 on the ground ; and when not feeding a crib-biting- 

 strap should be worn — an ordinary leather strap with 

 a knot in it — buckled round the throat, and so placed 

 that the knot presses on the windpipe, or a wooden 

 ball run on the strap will answer the purpose, though 

 hardly so effectually or safely as the regular strap, 

 which is made and sold for the purpose. 



In wind-sucking the horse inhales and swallows the 

 air which is inhaled, and distends his stomach to a 

 considerable extent. 



Both wind-sucking and crib-biting are considered 

 unsoundness in a horse, and rightly so, for if in their 

 earlier stages a horse is practically sound, still, never- 

 theless, sooner or later the wind becomes affected so 

 seriously as to very much interfere with his capabilities 

 for hard or fast work. Moreover, the habit, as also 

 the preventive measures which are necessary, are both 

 conducive to cause such animals to become whistlers 

 and subsequently roarers, even if no worse results 

 ensue. It is also next door to impossible in the more 

 advanced stages of the disease, as it may be termed, 

 to maintain such animals in good condition. Nor does 

 the habit decrease with age : it has the contrary ten- 

 dency. In some instances horses learn to suck wind 

 just as easily without seizing anything with their teeth 

 as with. Such cases are well-nigh hopeless ; and, 



