OF FARRIERY. 



271 



for the operation, are various, according to 

 the modes of the day such means were in- 

 vented. The break, or trevis, was a favourite 

 mode of the old practitioners, but now com- 

 pletely done away with. A strong rail, 

 or leaping-bar, across a stall, was another 

 means ; but these only by grooms and Horse- 

 dealers. Most veterinarians are in the habit 

 of casting the Horse for this operation, and I 

 liave always done so myself; for I consider 

 tiie more secure and safe you can make the 

 Horse, the less time is taken up in the opera- 

 tion, though Horse-dealers are sometimes verv 

 expert at performing this operation standing ; 

 still I prefer the more secure way. 



The Horse being properly secured, I shall 

 describe the mode of operating. Have your 

 twitch ready, which place on the Horse's 

 nose ; have ready two bundles of straw or hay, 

 aud then raise the Horse's feet, so that he lays 

 ou his back ; prop him up in this position 

 with the hay or straw, by placing a bundle on 

 each side of him. I should have mentioned 

 that previous to casting the Horse, the hair of 

 the tail ought to have been plaited, and when 

 at the end, neatly turned back and bound firm 

 with wax-end. Now take your nicking knife, 

 which is double edged, which makes it more 

 convenient and prevents the trouble of turning. 

 The mode of making the sections must be left 

 to the discretion of the operator ; always make 

 your sections in the middle of a tail-bone, not 

 at a joint ; this will easily be discovered by 

 the prominences rising at either end of the 

 bone. This should be carefully attended to, 

 otherwise the most serious consequences may 

 arise. 



It is sometimes the practice with some 

 veterinarian surgeons, to make a section 

 through the integuments only, beginning at 



the roots of the hair on one side, and carrying 

 it across the bellies of the muscles ; then 

 doing the same on the other side ; and lastly, 

 making these sections meet by a light and 

 careful division of the integuments only, on 

 the median lines of the tail. Such is not only 

 a very cautious, but a proper mode for young 

 hands, and is also consistent with good prac- 

 tice ; but it is apt to take up more time than 

 older and more experienced practitioners are 

 willing to devote to it. 



The first section should not be nearer in the 

 smallest Horse, than two inches and a half; 

 and in full-sized Horses three, or three inches 

 and a half, as the centre of the tail-bones may 

 indicate. In Mares, one section less than a 

 Horse, is admissible. The most expert ope- 

 rator will, however, find it prudent when the 

 sections are made, to examine them carefully, 

 that they are all equal in depth, and have 

 divided the depressor-muscles completely. 



Should any difference appear in these res- 

 pects, and should such unequal division be 

 allowed to remain, the operation will be in- 

 complete, and the Horse would in all pro- 

 bability carry his tail awry. Added to which, 

 any portion of the muscle being left undivided, 

 would tend to prevent the others from retract- 

 ing, and might also serve to promote a re- 

 union of them. Having satisfied yourself that 

 the sections are all complete, the bleeding 

 that ensues, need not be considered of conse- 

 quence, nor will it shew itself until the tail is 

 relaxed. Now look to the ends of your ten- 

 dons, and with a sharp and strong pair of 

 scissors, snip off the projecting ends thereof; 

 enough will always protrude to be taken hold 

 of with the foi-ceps. 



The removal of these ends will not only 

 separate the attachments of the muscles lur- 



