HOLDING UP HIND LEG. 



137 



lifted up by the comparatively gentle means just detailed ; 

 we may, while the horse is being held by an assistant, tie 

 up one fore leg ; put on the pastern of the hind leg of the 

 same side say, the near hind a hobble ; fix a rope to its 

 D ; and give the rope to a second assistant. We may then 

 gentle the leg, while the assistant keeps it off the ground 

 (see Fig. 64), or lets it down, according as we see fit. When 

 held in this way, the animal is powerless to hurt us or the 



Fig. 58. Holding up horse's hind leg. 



assistant who is behind him. If the horse is very trouble- 

 some, we may get the assistant who is at his head to correct 

 him with the rope- twitch, until he " gives in " and allows his 

 leg to be lifted up. Or we may give the leg-rope to the 

 assistant and manipulate the rope-twitch ourselves. If we 

 have not got a hobble, we may fix one end of the rope 

 round the hind pastern by a noose which will not run (see 

 Fig. 40), in which case it is well, by the application of a 

 bandage, or piece of cloth, to protect the pastern from 



