Orleans independent standard. [volume] (Irasburgh, Vt.) 1856-1871, 1858-01-29
CRIBBTNG HORSES.

Crlbbing, or wind-sucAlng, when 1t
has become a confirmed habit in horses,
subjects the animal, in the opinion Of
many, TO the charge of unsoundness. 1t
is a most injurious habit, and when once
acquired can no more be got rid OF than
the leopard can change his spots. The
body is continually filed with wind, CIV
ing the animal bloated appearance and
materially interfering with his respiratory
organs, and ease of lOcomotion. 1t has
been said that if horse can be prevent
I'd from exercising the habit, he will Tor
get in few months, but this we do not
credit. The most common mode oftreai-
ment is 10 tie strap or cord around the
animals throat sufficiently tight to pre-
vent him from enlarging the windpipe,
as is done in wind-sucking, but not so
tight as to ol,struct breathing or swallow
ing. The strap will prevent cribbing, 1t
is true, but it induces another evil, viz :
roaring. In order to be understood, we
will briefly explain the anatomy of the
windpipe. 1t is composed of rings OF
elastic cartilage, which overlap one an
other, connected together by an interme-
diate fiGrol;gamentous substance, which
in effect constitutes joint between each
ring, giving fexibiiity, whereby it enlon-
gates on the elevation and contracts on
the depression of the head. The strap
when around the throat congresses the
rings, not allowing them 10 perform theil
respective functions, and continued inter
ference and pressure ossiies the rings
one the causes of rearing.
The habit of cribbing is usually con
tracted 10y horses which remain much o
the time in their stalls, and being useC
but little have leisure and opportunit,
for the practice. 1t follows that if til
cribs are so constructed as to present n
object upon which the animal can set it
. teeth, the habit cannot be practiced, an
its evil effects may be obviated, althoug
. the habit be not forgotten. We hav
lately seen a stall constructed in tbi
manner, and it is not above the skill {
any smart stable boy TO fix one so that
horse cannot crib In this case,
slanting iii was fixed TO the Top of I'll
Manager, which is opened for the receI
ton of the feed Of grain, and closed :
/ soon as the horse has consumed its ALLOW
ance. The interstices in the rack f
: hay. above the manger, were filed vii
u sloping strips of board, and the lowe
part of the rack rounded so as TO prevel
the animal from clinching its teeth upo
the frame or partition. 1t is impossib
to present this portion of the contrivant
properly without a diagram, but from ii
above meagre description we think &
ingenious person can so arrange any sta
as to offer no inducement 10 the horse
pursue the habit. Out of the stable, ca
must be taken not to leave the hor
near post or fence, for he will impro'
the opportunity with as much zest as Il
convict in prison enjoys the smuggl'
plug Of tobacco. 'Othello's occupation
being gone, the horse may in time fora
the habit, but at any rate much ammo
ance is obviated by the ounce of preve
ton and the horse IS really capable
rendering more and better service TO
owner.
A roller placed on the edge of t
manager prevents the horse from cribti
h. on that particular spot, and ifall mango
. were supplied with them there would
less liability of the horse learning t
bnIit