384 
MANUAL OF MODERN FARRIERY. 
fore we shall not indulge in any speculative opinions as to 
its origin. 
One serious effect of this trick is the wearing down oi 
the teeth ; and instances have occurred where they have 
been broken. It has likewise been found that crib-biters are 
more liable to colic than those without this vice. Whether 
this proceeds from the loss of saliva occasioned by the wear¬ 
ing down of the teeth is still an unsettled point. 
It has been found that crib-biting is acquired by horses 
being in the stable with one which has the trick. Among 
the expedients which have been resorted to for the cure of 
crib-biting, the edge of the manger has been lined with 
iron; also with sheep-skin besmeared with aloes, tar, and 
other disagreeable substances, but all with no effect. The 
only thing in this case is to resort to a preventive, and that 
will be found in the use of a strap buckled tightly round 
the neck, which has the effect of compressing the windpipe, 
and rendering it impossible to resort to it; but no sooner is 
the strap removed, than the horse recommences his old 
habit, so that it must be constantly worn to be of use. 
But the continual use of it is apt to produce irritation in 
the trachea, and this will terminate in the affection termed 
roaring, which we have particularly described at page 76 . 
A five or six months’ run in a field has also been tried 
without proving a remedy. Crib-biters are generally in 
low condition. 
A muzzle barred across the bottom will prevent crib- 
biting. This must be made only of sufficient width to 
allow full action to the lips, so that the animal may pull 
his hay from the rack and eat his corn, but so close as not 
to admit of him grasping the edge of the manger. Crib- 
biting is legally considered unsoundness. 
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