OPERATIONS 283 



pincers, which are placed over and enclose the muzzle. 

 These are compressed by the assistant in operations. 

 They give great pain, but are indispensable with some 

 horses to enforce obedience. Sometimes this can be 

 effected by blindfolding, but cannot be depended upon. 

 Sometimes the use of the barnacles are ineffectual, 

 which renders the side-line and twitch indispensable. 



THE SIDE- LINE. - -This is found useful in the 

 operations of nicking, docking, and slight firing. It 

 consists of the long line of the hobbles, or common 

 cart-rope, with a noose at one end. This is fixed to 

 one of the pasterns of a hind leg. The rope is then 

 carried over the neck, and afterwards round the 

 withers, and this is tied to that portion which comes 

 from the leg. By drawing this leg forward, it renders 

 him incapable of kicking with the other ; and should 

 he attempt to use his fore leg, the other may be 

 seized and held up, which renders any exertion on his 

 part nugatory. The above will be found effectual in 

 all the more simple operations ; and that even with 

 restive horses, if the assistants are determined and 

 know how to restrain the animals. Sometimes the 

 side-line is made so as to include both limbs, but in 

 the struggles of the animal he is apt to throw himself, 

 and may be injured in his fall. 



For the more severe operations of firing and cas- 

 tration, improved hobbles are used. These permit of 

 any single leg to be set at liberty and returned at 

 pleasure ; and when the operation is finished, all the 

 legs may be freed from restraint in an instant. We 

 need not describe the methods employed to throw a 

 horse, because these are well known to the practical 

 veterinarian, to whom alone operations which require 

 this degree of restraint should be entrusted, and there- 

 fore we shall not touch upon them, 



