RESTRAINT AND CONTROL OF ANIMALS 



(Acknowledgment is made to Colonel Wm. P. Ennis, F. A.) 



In the management of animals both in field and in garrison restraint 

 is sometimes necessary. The methods are varied and the one to be used 

 depends largely on the disposition of the individual animal and what is 

 to be accomplished. Animals are restrained by the use of the twitch, 

 war bridle, blind, muzzle, cradle, side-rod, cross-tie, knee strap, casting 

 rope, slings, hobbles, stocks and operating table. 



Always select the mildest and least dangerous method that will 

 accomplish the end. 



The twitch perhaps is the handiest and most common method of 

 restraint, and is the most effective in the majority of cases as a simple 

 measure but should always be used with great caution and only when 

 necessary. It is a very powerful instrument, capable of inflicting great 

 pain, disfiguring animals' faces, and causing even lasting injury. As it 

 shuts off circulation in the lip it should never be used for any consider- 

 able length of time continuously, and never with greater force than is 

 absolutely necessary. It is easily made by running a piece of small 

 rope or rawhide through a hole in the end of a round piece of wood, 2 

 to 5 feet long, such as a pitch fork or axe handle, and tying it into a 

 short loop. 



The War Bridle is perhaps the one method of restraint which is the 

 least likely to do harm to the animal or make him afraid of its future 

 use. When properly used its effects are lasting and beneficial, making 

 the animal quieter, more tractable, and more amenable to discipline. 

 It is made and applied as follows : Take about 20 feet of 5/16 inch three 

 strand hemp rope and make a four inch loop at one end. To apply, 

 stand on the near side of the horse, place the loop in the mouth inclos- 

 ing the tongue and lower jaw, carry the rope up on the oi¥ side, over 

 the poll and down the near cheek to about opposite the eye, then double 

 back on the poll leaving a bight hanging, pass the running end of the 

 rope through the mouth between the upper lip and the gum, and up 

 through the bight on near cheek, then down through the lower part of 

 the loop. Draw the end snug without changing position of the bight. 

 A moderate pull on the rope tightens the bridle, producing pressure on 

 the poll and to a lesser degree on the mouth. This has a strong moral 

 efifect, inducing the animal to stand quietly. 



The attendant should not pull the rope unduly tight but always use 

 moderate tension and with a little twitching to attract the animals 

 attention. Its use is especially adapted to the training of young ani- 

 mals to be shod and in handling the heads of very nervous animals. 



The Blind is often of value as a means of restraint for nervous or 

 vicious animals. It may be made in the form of a hood or a piece of 

 leather broad enough to cover the eyes, and provided with leather 

 strings for fastening to the halter. 



