76 HUMANE HORSE-TRAINING 



THE WAY TO THROW A HORSE 



I have often bubbled over with excitement when I 

 have been watching various veterinary surgeons throwing 

 colts to castrate them or for operation. Their system 

 always makes me feel I could go and take off their heavy 

 ropes and hobbles and use my own light tackle. Their 

 method requires a deal of assistance, and the crowd of 

 people helping tends to terrorise the animal. The 

 method is not effective in preventing the horse from 

 struggling violently and dangerously, both whilst in 

 the act of being thrown and after it is actually down. 

 With this method of hobbles several men are necessary. 

 The horse is thrown down violently, and then two men 

 sit on his head to keep him down, and if he struggles 

 he sometimes injures his back. My system, which I am 

 going to explain in detail, is free from the drawbacks 

 mentioned above, and only requires one man ; sometimes 

 I have an extra hand to hold a rope tied to the tail to 

 prevent a wild fellow from pitching on his head. 

 The illustrations will give a good idea of how it is 

 done. 



The halter must be a strong one ; use the surcingle 

 and have the crupper on to prevent the surcingle from 

 slipping forward. Fasten the left forefoot with a foot- 



