146 



ANIMAL MANAGEMENT. 



is likely to gall the skin of the heels when it rests upon them. They 



must always be kept quite soft and pliable. Shackles may be worn 



either round the pastern or above the fetlock, and as they are more 



Position of likely to cause galls if worn constantly in the same position, they 



shackles, should be frequently changed from one position to the other, and if a 



single one is worn, from leg to leg. When worn above the fetlocks they 



are not to be tied so tight as to cause the legs to swell. 



Pegs. Picket pegs may be used for the heel ropes only, or for fastening the 



head ropes also, and where single horsemen are liable to be detached, 



two pegs, or some method which renders them independent of others 



is requisite. Many patterns of pegs have been tried, but none can be 



considered perfect under all circumstances. 



Fig. 23. 



(i) Wooden pegs are usually shod and bound with iron, and provided 

 with a rope or leathern loop, which facilitates the withdrawal of the peg 

 from the ground. When not iron shod, wooden pegs must be periodically 

 resharpened, as the points become frayed and blunt from driving. 



(2) Iron pegs last longer than wooden ones, are easier to drive into 

 the ground, but do not give such a secure hold when driven, and 

 should they be accidentally pulled up, are more likely to inflict serious 

 injury on the animal. On this account some iron pegs are made with a 

 broad, heavy head beneath which the rope is tied ; if the peg is drawn, 

 the weight of the head turns it point uppermost, and it slips out of the 

 rope easily. Other patterns have a ring, or cross piece, for the 

 attachment of the rope ; but for the reason just given, they are not 

 such good designs. 



