252 The Diseases of Animals 



WOLF -TEETH 



" Wolf - teeth " are small extra molars, frequently 

 found in front of the first grinders on the upper, and 

 rarely on the lower, jaw of horses. They are believed 

 to be rudimentary molars, pointing us back to pre- 

 historic horses, fossil remains of which are found with 

 teeth extending in an unbroken row around the jaws. 

 Probably one -half the horses under seven years of age 

 have them. There is a popular idea that wolf -teeth 

 make a horse go blind, but this is not true. They 

 have no more connection with a horse's eyes than any 

 other teeth do. 



It is a good plan to have wolf -teeth drawn (not 

 punched out), as they are of no use to the animal and 

 a bit may draw against them and make the mouth sore. 

 When these teeth are punched out, the roots are likely 

 to break off and remain in the jaw, and become a source 

 of irritation. 



CRIBBING 



Cribbing, or "crib -biting," is a habit that some 

 horses have of grasping some object, biting it lightly, 

 and at the same time contracting the muscles of the 

 neck and emitting a peculiar grunt, frequently sucking 

 in air at the same time. Such horses are called "wind- 

 suckers." Sometimes the horse will simply press the 

 incisor teeth against the object; and, in rare cases, he 

 will arch the neck and suck air without biting anything. 

 Cribbing is a habit or vice. In chronic cases, the front 



