70 
OBSERVATION’S ON SOUNDNESS. 
I am sure I need scarcely remark that those who are 
designated tinkers^ copers, or screw-dealers, are ever ready to 
tell their customers that such and such a horse is six off.” 
This is true—he is six off certainly. 
Having satisfied ourselves of the age of the animal, we 
next direct our attention to the formation of the mouth, and 
observe whether the incisors are evenl}^ worn and unbroken. 
By this we can form an idea as to whether the animal is a 
crib-biter or wind-sucker. Some horses are so uneasy to 
clean that they lay hold of hard substances with their teeth 
during this sanitary process, by which these organs become 
worn and broken at their edges. This state of the teeth is 
found more frequently in aged horses than in young ones. 
If the teeth are unevenly worn it will be requisite to place 
the horse in such a position that he may crib if he desires it, 
but before this is done the examination of the mouth should 
be concluded. The molars ought to be thoroughly examined, 
in order to learn if they have growm properly and are free 
from disease. Many mistakes have been made from time to 
time with reference to carious molar teeth. 
There are several diseases of the mouth; for example, 
paralysis of the lower lip may exist, or the horse may have a 
parrot mouth, or be suffering from “ lampas.” I have also 
seen animals with only half a tongue. Either of these 
affections w’ould, without doubt, constitute unsoundness in a 
legal sense. 
Having found the animal under inspection to be a crib-biter, 
what now^ becomes our duty? This is a knotty question, 
and requires a full investigation. What is a cfib-biter, and 
does it constitute unsoundness ? Blaine says, This peculiar 
action is very generally, but, in my opinion, erroneously, 
supposed to arise from a small quantity of air drawm into the 
stomach, and is hence called sucking the w’ind.It 
consists in the simple eructation or forcing out of a small 
quantity of gas, let loose from morbid combinations within 
the stomach, which, as it proves a source of irritation, to aid 
its expulsion the horse applies his teeth to a fixed point, by 
w’hich he gains the help of some of the muscles of the fauces 
to open and straighten the oesophagus, while, at the same 
time, by means of the abdominal muscles, he presses on the 
stomach, and forces out a little of the irritating air. 
It is considered a vice, a habit acquired, &c.; but I believe 
it always commences in dyspepsia, the consequences of long 
living on dry food, &c.^^ Again, he says, Crib-biters seldom 
carry much flesh. 
Youatt writes, ‘Mt is the inhalation of aiiV^ Here is at 
