CHAPTER XVIII. 



OPERATIONS. 



These belong more to the veterinary surgeon than to the pro- 

 prietor of the horse, but a short account of the manner of conduct- 

 ing the principal ones should not be omitted. 



It is frequently necessary to bind the human patient, and in no 

 painful or dangerous operation should this be omitted. It is more 

 necessary to bind the horse, who is not under the control of reason, 

 and whose struggles may not only be injurious to himself, but dan- 

 gerous to the operator. 



The trevis is a machine indispensable in every continental forge ; 

 even the quietest horses are there put into it to be shod. 



The side-line is a very simple and useful method of confining 

 the horse, and placing him in sufficient subjection, for the opera- 

 tions of docking, nicking, and slight firing. The long line of the 

 hobbles, or a common cart-rope, with a noose at the end, is fastened 

 on the pastern of the hind- leg that is not to be operated on. The 

 rope attached to it is then brought over the neck and round the 

 withers, and there tied to the portion that comes from the leg. 

 The leg may thus be drawn so far forward that, while the horse 

 evidently cannot kick with that leg, he is disarmed of the other 

 for he would not have sufficient support under him, if he attempt 

 ed to raise it : neither can he easily use his fore-legs ; or, if he at 

 tempts it, one of them may be lifted up, and then he becomes 

 nearly poAverless. If necessary, the aid of the twitch, or the bar- 

 nacles, may be resorted to. 



For every minor operation, and even for many that are of more 

 importance, this mode of restraint is sufficient, especially if the 

 operator has active and determined assistants ; and we confess 

 that we are no friends to the casting of horses, if it can possibly 

 be prevented. When both legs are included in the hobble, or 

 rope — as in another way of using the side-line — the horse may 

 appear to be more secute ; but there is greater danger of his falling 

 in his violent struggles during the operation. 



For castrating and severe firing, the animal must be thrown. 

 The safety of the horse, and of the operator, will require the use 



