CHAPTER IV. 

 RESTRAINT AND CONTROL OF ANIMALS. 



228. The object of restraint is to quiet or secure the animal 

 in such a manner that it may neither injure itself nor those that are 

 handling it. All experience demonstrates that animals which are 

 most refractory and vicious under harsh and violent management 

 will become reassured and tractable when treated with ordinary 

 kindness and gentleness. Nervous and excitable animals especially 

 should be dealt with quietly, so as to calm them and gain their con- 

 fidence when they are about to be submitted to restraint and pain. 

 Noise and excitement should be avoided as much as possible, and 

 the preliminary stages of applying apparatus of restraint gone through 

 steadily, intelligently, and with gentle hands and voice. 



The apparatus should inconvenience or pain the animal as little 

 as possible, and it ought to be readily applicable reliable when in 



FIG. 28. Twitch. (From Flemming's Operative Veterinary Surgery.) 



use, and easily removed when no longer required. The respiration 

 should be interfered with as little as possible. The horse and mule 

 breathe only through the nostrils; therefore, these should be kept 

 free and open. The trachea, chest, and flanks should not be pressed 

 upon, as difficulty in respiration alone will cause violent struggling 

 and may result in suffocation. 



229. The kind of restraint to be used will generally depend 

 not only upon the nature of the purpose for which it is intended, 

 but also upon the disposition or temperament of the horse. The 

 horse is secured in the standing position by the head or legs or both. 



230. Securing- the head. The head is usually secured by means 

 of a switch, blindfold, neck cradle, or side rod. 



231. The twitch (fig. 28). The twitch is a severe instrument of 

 control, and should not be applied unless absolutely necessary. It 



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