THEIR FEED AND THEIR FEET. 



73 



some portion, and that the principal noise is from 

 the fauces. The construction of the fauces and 

 stomach of a horse renders the eructation of air a dif- 

 ficult process, and we have seen horses nearly choked 

 by a sudden rush of gas up the oesophagus, but this 

 effect was probably caused by the noxious quality 

 of the gas. The distention of the stomach of the 

 animal in crib-biting depends, we consider, on the 

 gases given out from the food, as a proof of which 

 the hindering a crib-biter from his habit will not al- 

 ways prevent this distention. We all know that 

 many persons of sedentary habits are peculiarly lia- 

 ble to dyspepsia and flatulency, and we must all 

 have experienced the unpleasant sensation attend- 

 ing it. How are they relieved ? By exercise or by 

 giving an agent to dispel those gases." 



Since an " agent " is very inexpensive, at least in 

 immediate cash-outlay, and less bothersome than to 

 spend one's time in simply exercising an animal that 

 has no steady employment, it is often resorted to ; but 

 the more dosing he gets, the worse he is off finally. 



In my opinion, cribbing is neither a habit nor a 

 vice, but rather a symptom of disease. I have never 

 known a case of a horse that fully satisfied my views 

 as to condition to take up or continue the practice 

 of crib-biting, though, as the writer quoted says, 

 horses given to it seldom leave it off. But this is, in 

 my opinion, because the disease which gives rise to 

 it is allowed to continue by a continuance of the 

 same general regimen which caused it. A chronic 

 disease is usually the result of chronic disobedience 

 4 



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