CRIB-BITING. 



561 



his breast, which can be done by fixing a stick or other object of 

 suitable length, below his neck, between the chin and breast. 



3. By rendering the muscles which draw in the chin and which 

 arch the neck, unable to contract. This is accomplished by 

 buckling a strap — which should be broad, so as to aA'oid injuiy 

 to the mane — round the neck at its narrowest part (just behind 

 the angles of the lower jaw), at such a degree of tightness that it 

 will prevent the muscles from oontractiijg, but will not interfere 

 with the breathing or with the swallowing of food or water. 



Fig. 150. — Front view of the incisor teeth of a crib-biter who wore 

 down only his upper incisor teeth. 



Note that decrease in the length of a muscle on contracting, is 

 accompanied by increase in its thickness ; and that the muscular 

 effort required to swallow air is far greater than that which is 

 necessary for swallowing food and water. 



The contrivances respectively mentioned in the two preceding 

 paragraphs, are, for increasing their effect, sometimes provided 

 with spikes, the use of which is not without danger. The stick, 

 strap, and other appliances for a like object, may be obtained from 

 a saddler or veterinary instrument maker. 



For preventing cribbing with the teeth, use during the intervals 

 between feeding hours, a specially made bar muzzle, which, 

 while checking this practice, will allow the horse to eat his hay. 



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