Chapter C (3)

CRIB-BITING—is a habit acquired by some horses, of incessantly biting the manger, and gulping the wind; which appears, from observation, to be more prejudicial to character, than to bodily exertion. It is said, "young horses are most subject to it; and that it is often occasioned by uneasiness in breeding of teeth, and from being ill fed when they are hungry. The bad consequences are wearing away their teeth, spilling their corn, and sucking the air in such quantities, as will often give them the cholic or gripes."

It is certain a _crib-biter_ never appears high in flesh, or so full in condition as horses that are not so; and so prejudicial is it considered by many, that they will not admit a horse to be _perfectly sound_ if sold with this infirmity. Opinions vary upon the _difference_ it makes respecting the labor and fatigue a horse of this description can undergo; some asserting that "the defect keeps him _weak_, _languid_, and unable to endure much work:" while others as strenuously insist upon its being in no way whatever prejudicial.

"Who shall decide when doctors disagree?"

CROPPING—is the operation of taking off the ears, which was till very lately performed with a knife and wooden mould, rendering it both tedious and painful: it is, however, now very much improved by the invention of an instrument admirably adapted to the purpose, by which the separation of the ear is almost instantaneous. It is only adopted where horses are _lop-eared_, and bear the appearance of mules about the head. As the operation is at best but a cruel mutilation, every humane and tender mind will think it "more honored in the breach than the observance."

CROWN-SCAB—is a partial appearance about the coronet of a horse, varying in different subjects, according to the state of the object diseased. It partakes a little of the disorder called _grease_, to which, if unattended to, it would soon degenerate; being a species of that defect, but in an inferior degree. In some it appears as a scurfy eruption, raising the hair, and turning it different ways, from whence soon oozes a kind of oily ichor, fœtid in smell, and greasy in appearance: in others, the discharge is _thinner_, and more _watery_, according to the greater or less degree of morbidity in the frame, or acrimony in the blood. It has been a practice with the old school to counteract its effects by vitriolic lotions, slight styptics, and strong repellents: scientific disquisition will not, however, justify such treatment, but recommend daily mollification with warm oatmeal gruel and a soft sponge; when which is wiped gently dry with a soft linen cloth, it may be very mildly impregnated with camphorated spermacæti ointment, and the cure assisted by mercurial physic, diuretic balls, or a course of antimonial alterative powders.

CUB.—A young fox is so called during the _first_ year.

CURB—is a callous enlargement, approaching ossification, and is situate at the lower junction of the bones, at the hind part of the hock, originally attended with stiffness, and lastly with lameness and pain. Curbs are evidently produced by _kicks_, _blows_, sudden _turns_ or _twists_, riding too hard (or drawing too much weight) up hill: they should be attended to on their first appearance, when they soon submit to the usual modes adopted for extirpation. Mild blistering frequently succeeds, particularly where the operation is _twice_ performed; but when the case is of long standing, a few slight feather strokes with the firing-iron may be necessary to confirm the cure.

CURB.—The chain is so called, which is the part of the bridle-bit fixed to one cheek, and passing under the lower-jaw (and above the beard or chin) to the other. By the rein being fixed to rings or loops, at the lower extremity of the bit, this chain, called curb, constitutes a fulcrum; and the harder such rein is pulled, the harder will be the pressure of the curb upon the under jaw, and of course the greater power given to the rider. The curb consists merely of a neat wrought chain, small rings and links, by which it is fixed to the cheek-eyes of the bit, and easily taken off and on for the purpose of cleaning.

CURRY-COMB,—a well known stable utensil, in constant use for the cleaning of horses. They are much more applicable to _post_ and _draft_ horses, than to horses of superior description, the fineness of whose coats, and the tenderness of whose skins, occasion much uneasiness to them during the _prickly persecution_, and to whom good, sweet, clean straw-bands are greatly preferable; it being matter of fair doubt, whether more horses are not lamed in the stable under the _dancing_ ceremony of the curry-comb, than by accidents upon the road, or strong exertions in the field.

CRUPPER,—a leathern convenience, or long strap, annexed to the hinder part of the saddle, having at the other extremity a loop to pass under the tail; by which the saddle is prevented from getting forward, and bringing the rider upon the neck of the horse. Such aid is by no means required with horses well made, and uniformly proportioned: they are rarely brought into use, but where a horse is _lower before_ than _behind_; and are in so much disrepute with amateurs and connoisseurs, that a real sportsman would sooner part from his horse than to _be seen ride_ with _a crupper_.

CUTTING.—Explained under CASTRATION.

CUTTING IN ACTION,—in the manege called _interfering_, is lacerating the round inside projecting part of the fetlock-joint, with the edge of the shoe, upon the foot of the opposite leg. This arises much more frequently from the indifference or neglect in the owner, than from any imperfection or defect of the horse; more horses _cut_ from being broke and put into work too young, rode too long journies in a day, or over-worked when weary, than from any cause whatever. Some horses, it is true, _cut_ from their formation, particularly those narrow in the chest. Carriage horses, too, very frequently cut _behind_; but this must in a great measure be occasioned by the projecting parts and cavities in the pavement, for all which the surest footed horse existing cannot be prepared.