CASTEATION. 259 



He is also very liable to batter his feet badly, for he has no 

 idea of taking care of them. 



Nerving, or neurotomy, is generally performed for incurable 

 lameness of the feet. The following diseases furnish subjects 

 for this operation: Ring-bone, disease of the coffin-joint, con- 

 traction, inflammation of the lamellae, bony cartilages, etc. 

 Always remember not to operate while inflammation is 

 present. 



CASTRATION. 



This operation has been performed on the horse from the 

 earliest periods of his domestication. It is performed for the 

 purpose of enhancing the usefulness of the male by subduing 

 his spirit and rendering him mild and docile as the female. 

 While it accomplishes this object, it has a great efl'ect on the 

 future development of his frame. It produces a finer develop- 

 ment of the neck, and head, and shoulders, and renders the 

 whole frame more like that of the female. Immemorial cus- 

 tom has sanctioned this operation. The questions, then, to 

 be considered are, at what age should the operation be per- 

 formed, and how should it be performed? In deciding the 

 former, the safety of the colt, the purpose for which he is in- 

 tended, and the degree to which it is desired to preserve the 

 stallion form, are to be considered. Facility, success, and 

 safety are to be considered in determining the method of oper- 

 ating. The younger the colt, when operated on, the lighter 

 will he be in the forehand. For most purposes, and among 

 our cold-blooded horses, the age of one year wdll generally 

 be best for the operation, all circumstances considered. For 

 heavy draught-horses, where a heavy forehand is desirable, 

 the operation may be deferred to two and a half or three years. 

 For the carriage-horse, the age of two years will secure the 

 most favorable development. For the saddle, greater care 

 should be exercised. From one to two years, according to the 

 form and spirit of the colt, will giv^e the desired result. No 



