666 
ON THE HABITS AND VICES OF HOUSES. 
such creatures of habit, how can we wonder at any thing of this 
kind which we may observe in the low er animals, especially 
the domesticated horse; who, in consequence of the artificial 
state in which he is kept, is perhaps more liable than any 
other to learn a number of tricks, to shew odd propensities, and 
to acquire bad or vicious habits'? Nor ought we to be at all 
surprised that these should soon become so confirmed and in¬ 
veterate, as to render the chance of a radical cure, at all times, 
to say the least of it, very doubtful and uncertain. 
Much has lately been said on the subject of cribbiting. 
Mr. Yare has put forth tw o rather lengthy papers in the Sporting 
Magazine upon this point; with respect to which he seems to 
consider us all in a very deplorable state of ignorance. Indeed, 
it must be confessed, the remarks this gentleman makes rela¬ 
tive to the general stable knowledge of the veter* iary profession 
,are by no means flattering. “ I have never yet,” says he, “ met 
with one of them who could fairly lay claim to the character of 
a real stable-man.” Now r , although, generally speaking, we 
may not be quite so much “ at home” in a stable as Mr. Yare, 
yet I hope there are many amongst the veterinary profession 
who may be said to have quite as much tact and talent for 
observation as he has, and who have closely studied the habits 
and economy of the animal they profess to treat. And, after all, 
may we not fairly ask—wdiat is the amount of all the real 
information this gentleman has been so kind as to give us in 
the two aforesaid lengthy communications which he has thought 
proper to push into the world? Do not these productions re¬ 
mind one of the mountain in labour ? May it not, in truth, be 
said of them— there is great cry and little wool ? For my ow n 
part, I protest I felt sadly disappointed on perusing-, what 
1 cannot help designating a tissue of irrelevant , profitless 
twaddle. In saying this, I mean no offence to Mr. Yare ; but what 
he has thought fit to publish is fair matter of criticism. The 
fact is, the whole secret of cribbiting may be told in a very few 
words. It is neither more nor less than a bad habit; only, one 
of a great number that horses are very liable to contract. 
I have had an opportunity of seeing Mr. Yare’s muzzle tried; 
and I should say it is a very ingenious contrivance to prevent 
cribbing. Let us call things by their proper names:—this it 
certainly does most effectually. But I must be allowed to doubt 
its going the length of a radical cure. I wish it may; for, as 
our friend Mat. Prior says, 
" Such truths,” says Dick, “ are worth believing,” 
Hut still Dick look’d as unbelieving. 
