1 Ave., 1901.] QUEENSLAND AGRICULTURAL JOURNAL. 197 
The Horse. 
PROTECTION AGAINST CRIB-BITING. 
One of the most troublesome habits which horses contract is that of erib- 
piting. It follows frequently upon indigestion. There are many suggested 
methods of prevention, but the following from the Furmers’ Advocate has the 
recommendation of simplicity. Our contemporary says that once started the 
habit was very difficult to stop. The only humane method was found in 
muzzling. A. muzzle, such as represented in the accompanying figure, was 
made. The muzzle is made of 1-inch half-round iron, riveted on to the halter, 
and worn always in the stable. It is made in the flat in this manner, the ends 
are bent at right angles at A (Fig. 3), and are riveted on to the cheek straps of 
so 
Kicals AF etey 22 Pia, 3 
the halter. The round ends B and C are curved upwards in such a manner as 
to come over the nose and under the lower lip of the horse, so preventing him 
catching hold of anything with his teeth, at the same time allowing him to feed 
and breathe freely. ‘The width across the muzzle (Fig. 3) at X is 2% inches. 
The plan is worth trying. 
BREAKING-IN COLTS. 
Mr. James Gray lately read a paper on ‘“ Breeding Horses” before the 
Amyton branch of the Bureau of Agriculture, South Australia, and touched 
amongst other matters on the breaking-in of colts. On this head he 
remarked :— 
Some seem to think if a man has plenty of courage and can stick to 
anything he can get a saddle on he must be a good colt breaker; but he very 
often breaks him down instead of breaking him in. A colt should not be 
worked or ridden too hard to begin with, as it will not do him any good. 
Every farmer that breaks in his own colts should have a small post and rail 
yard that will hold a colt. Itis not a good plan to headrope or lassoo a wild 
colt, as it very often hurts the muscles of the neck. A better way is to have a 
light stick, about 6 feet long, that can be used with one hand; tie a piece of 
bright-coloured rag on one end to attract the colt’s attention, and work him 
around the yard with that until he will let you get up to him; any colt can 
be caught in this way. You must be able to control your temper before you 
try to control a colt. If you lose your temper sit down and have a smoke; 
when you start work again you will find both yourself and the colt all the 
better for a few minutes’ rest. Never let a colt know that you are afraid of 
him; if you do, it will take a long time to master aim, and you might have to 
find a shorter way out of the yard than through the gate. Do not jump away 
or fall over every time the colt lifts his leg or switches his tail; if you do, he 
will surely keep you: at it. They should be well mouthed and handled before 
_ putting them to work, especially for hacks and buggy sorts. Care should be 
