MANAGEMENT OF HORSES IN THE OPEN. 147 



(3) A spoon-shaped metal peg has also been tried. This has a Spoon- 

 broad curved end, with an opening in the centre ; a hole is dug with ^^^^^P^" 

 the blade ; a small bundle of twigs is placed through the opening ; the ^^^''' 

 peg is buried, and the earth well-stamped in. It is said to give a very 

 firm hold. 



Pegs should always be driven at an angle with the ground, with the Driving 

 point towards the animal, and to their full extent. If the soil is of such P^^'^-, 

 a light nature that the pegs draw easily, two pegs, one behind the ^^^ ^ 

 other, will increase the holding power. The further peg should be ^ ^ " 

 quite buried in the ground, as shown in the figure. (Fig. 23.) 



When no pegs are available, a bundle of twigs should be tied at the Method ot 

 end of the head rope, and buried crosswise at a depth of one to two feet securing 



according to the nature of the soil, and the earth well-stamped in. 

 This will give a very firm hold. 



without 

 pegs. 



Fig. 24. 



If it is necessary to picket horses by a head rope only, this may "Swivel 

 get much twisted by the animal walking round and round. A makeshift on head 

 swivel to prevent this may be provided by a tent rope fid. (Fig. 24.) ^^P^- 



The most frequent and serious cause of injury to horses picketed by Rope 

 head and heel ropes is from getting their hind feet over the head rope or galls, 

 picket line. Horses that feel any irritation about the head and neck, 

 scratch themselves with their hind feet ; if the head and heel ropes are 

 not sufficiently tight, they can bend the head round, and reach up a 

 hind foot to meet it for the purpose. 



In doing this the foot not infrequently slips over the head rope or 

 picket line, and finding himself pinioned, the animal struggles in the 

 wildest way, gets cast, and before he can be released, may, and some- 

 times does, inflict a three or four months' injury upon himself. It is better 

 that he should be securely tied, even if this compels him to undergo-some 

 shght discomfort rather than be given the opportunity to put himself out 

 of action at a time when his services are most needed. 



(B 10948) K 2 



