Crib-biting

Crib-biting is a bad habit to which many horses are addicted. It con sists in taking hold of the manger, and at the same time drawing in the breath, accompanied with a gulping noise. The effect of it is loss of flesh and condition in the animal, and sometimes injury of the wind.

Wind-sucking

Wind-sucking is nearly the same, only without taking hold of the manger.

As these habits are not always discoverable during the short time you are in a dealer's stable, it is advisable to have the horse you are about to purchase warranted free from these defects, in addition to the warrantry of soundness, as the latter does not provide against them.

It is also prudent to have the horse warranted free from restiveness; though you may discover this by riding him several times past his own stable-door; if he be restive, he will manifest his self-will by endeavouring to turn in, and rearing if you attempt to prevent him.

Injuries Of The Back

Injuries of the back, which are not unfrequent, are discovered by backing the animal; and if he perform the retrograde motion with any the least degree of difficulty, he has experienced some serious dorsal injury.

There are other imperfections which I need not mention, as none but the lowest description of persons would keep for sale horses possessing them.