74 



MANUAL FOR STABLE SERGEANTS. 



may be used to prevent the animal from biting and tearing his 

 wounds, the dressings, or the blanket. 



It is composed of from 8 to 12 round pieces of hardwood, about IJ 

 inches in diameter and about 18 inches in length, pierced at each 

 end by a hole, through which a cord passes. These rods are kept 

 3 or 4 inches apart, either by knots on the cords or by short pieces of 

 wood perforated from end to end, and strung on the cord between 

 the rods. The ends of the cords are tied on the upper border of the 



neck and so adjusted that the upper 

 ends of the rods are just back of 

 the lower jaw, the lower ends rest- 

 ing on the shoulder at the seat of 

 the collar. 



234. The side rod (fig. 31).— 

 The side rod is a round wooden rod, 

 from 3 J to 4 feet in length, with a 

 cord or small strap and buckle at 

 each end. One end (A) is attached 

 to the nose band of the halter, while 

 the other (B) is fastened to a sur- 

 cingle firmly secured around the 

 body at the girth. The side rod is 

 used to prevent the tearing of dress- 

 ings or clothing with the teeth. 



235. Cross tying. — Cross tying 

 is useful in keepng an animal from 

 lying down, and in preventing the 

 tearing of dressings or clothing with 

 the teeth. 



It consists in t^/ing the head in 

 an elevated position with two tie 

 ropes, one attached on either side 

 of the halter to the rings in the nose 

 band, and tied, one on either side 

 of the stall, in such a manner as 

 not to allow the nose to be lowered below the point of the shoulder. 

 The food should be placed in a raised manger or rack. 



236. Muzzles. — Muzzles should be constructed of leather or 

 heavy woven wire, and should have a snap on either side for attach- 

 ment to the side rings of the halter. They may be applied to 

 vicious horses that bite, or to animals that have digestive diseases to 



:Fig. 31.— Side rod. (From Flem- 

 ming's Operative Veterinary Sur- 

 gery.) 



