312 MA?fUAL OF MODERN FARRIERY. 



obedience. Sometimes tliis can be effected by blindfolding, 

 but cannot be depended upon. Sometimes tb^ use of the 

 barnacles are ineffectual, which renders the side-line and 

 twitch indispensable. 



The Side-Line. — This is found useful in the operations 

 of nicking, docking, and slight firing. It consists of the 

 long line of the hobbles, or common cart-rope, with a noose 

 at one end. This is fixed to one of the pasterns of a hind 

 leg. The rope is then carried over the neck, and afterwards 

 round the withers, and this is tied to that portion which 

 comes from the leg. By drawing this leg forward, it renders 

 him incapable of kicking with the other ; and should he 

 attempt to use his fore leg, the other may be seized and 

 held up, which renders any exertion on his part nugatory. 

 The above will be found eflectual in all the more simple 

 operations ; and that even with resiifi'* horses, if tlie 

 assistants are determined and know how to restrain tlie 

 animals. Sometimes the side-line is made so as to include 

 both limbs, but in the struggles of the animal he is apt to 

 throw himself, and may be injured in his fall. 



For the more severe operations of firing and castration, 

 improved hobbles are used. These permit of any single leg 

 to be set at liberty and returned at pleasure ; and when the 

 operation is finished, all the legs may be freed from restraint 

 in an instant. We need not describe the methods employed 

 to throw a horse, because these are well known to the 

 practical veterinarian, to whom alone operations which 

 require this degree of restraint should be entrusted, and 

 therefore we shall not touch upon them. 



BLEEDING. 



It is a too frequent practice for gentlemen who have 

 given a little attention to the veterinary art, as well as with 



