MANUAL FOR STABLE SERGEANTS. 



73 



is too frequently used on horses which could be more easily and 

 humanely managed by gentleness, patience, and tact. 



The ordinary twitch is a round piece of wood, from 1 to 5 feet in 

 length, and l| to 2 inches in diameter, with a hole near one end 

 through which a piece of cord is passed and tied in a loop sufficiently 

 large to allow the closed fist to pass through easily. 



The loop is passed over the upper lip, which is seized by the hand 

 and drawn forward, care being taken to turn the edges of the lip in 

 to prevent injury to the mucous membrane; the cord is then twisted 

 by turning the stick until sufficient pressure is obtained, which is 

 usually manifested by the closing of the animal's eyelids. 



FIG. 29. Blindfold. (From Flemming's 

 Operative Veterinary Surgery.) 



FIG. 30. Neck cradle. (From. 

 Flemming's Operative Veteri- 

 nary Surgery.) 



232. The blindfold (fig. 29). Sudden deprivation of sight often 

 so alarms or stupefies horses that they are rendered quite docile, or 

 at least more manageable, while if really vicious they can not take 

 advantage of a favorable opportunity to injure those around them. 



Any nontransparent covering will exclude the vision; an empty 

 grain sack, towel, or piece of cloth tied across the face from one side 

 of the halter or head stall to the other, but the leather mule blind 

 or the operating hood is best if available. 



233. The neck cradle (fig. 30 6). The neck cradle allows lateral 

 and downward movements of the head to only a limited extent. This 



