264 



THE MODERN SYSTEM 



CHAPTER XXVIII. 



OF OPERATIONS AND RESTRAINTS 



\Vhen it is necessary to perform any pain- 

 ful or unpleasant operation on the Horse, from 

 his great power and strength to resist, it be- 

 comes of consequence as well for our own 

 security, as that of the safety of the animal, 

 to put such restraint upon him, as will enable 

 us to combat with his struggles. Some 

 Horses, like men, differ much in temper when 

 undergoing any operation, and bear pain very 

 differently to others ; but it is always well to 

 be guarded against the worst, and very few 

 mportant operations should be attempted, 

 without casting. As this is intended to be a 

 book of information to those who are not im- 

 mediately veterinarians, as there are a number 

 of amateurs and experienced Horse-men, who 

 frequently practise on their own Horses, and 

 that rather skilfully too ; therefore, my taking 

 operations into consideration, is principally 

 for their instruction, and if any thing can be 

 gleaned from the work, the end is at once 

 answered. Great care should be taken to be 

 as humane as possible in all our operations, 

 and prevent as much pain as possible ; 

 though at times severe means are obliged to 

 be resorted to. 



There are other restraints than the hobble ; 

 such as the twitch. This latter instrument is 



most frequently used by all classes of Horse- 

 men ; for there is scarcely, if any operation 

 that is performed, but it requires the twitch ; 

 which no stable should be without. Still, if 

 used with violence, it is apt to make a Horse 

 more uneasy and restive than not ; conse- 

 quently, great care is required in using the 

 twitch. The twitch-staff should be about 

 thirty-six or thirty-eight inches long, with a 

 small ring-bolt, driven firm into one end ; 

 then take a piece of sash-line, which put 

 through the eye of the bolt ; then tie the ends 

 together, about six inches off the end of the 

 bolt ; cut off all superfluous cord, and you 

 have a twitch. 



Most persons, and especially the inexperi 

 enced, guard only against the hind feet ; but 

 they will find that a blow from a Horse's 

 fore-foot, if properly directed, will come with 

 terrible force. Therefore, in all operations, 

 blindfold the animal, and the more so, as by 

 that he becomes particularly intimidated ; nor 

 will he often strike without being greatly 

 irritated. 



Another kind of instrument, principally used 

 by smiths, is what are termed barnacles, 

 which is is a kind of clam, with a guaginff- 

 ring to regulate its tightness, and is sometimes 



