THE IMPROVED ART OF FARRIERY 161 



must be well secured to prevent any struggling. Any 

 operation can now be performed. 



The twitch is a noose formed by passing a cord 

 through a hole at the end of a strong stick and then 

 knotting it ; this is put on the muzzle of the horse, 

 and twisted. The pain thus caused renders him toler- 

 ably quiet during any ordinary operation ; each tarn 

 of the stick adds or diminishes the pain at the option 

 of the person holding it. 



The trevis is not so frequently used as formerly : it 

 was more usually found in forges, and is a certain ap- 

 pendage to them on the continent. 



The side-line is used to prevent kicking, and is gene- 

 rally resorted to when the twitch has proved insuffi- 

 ciently secure. 



Bleeding 



Is an operation generally performed on the jugular- 

 vein with either fleam or lancet, the first instrument 

 being the most common as well as the safest, especially 

 in the hands of such as are unacquainted with surgi- 

 cal implements. Much danger often results from the 

 improper and unskilful use of both fleam and lancet, 

 which subjects the jugular- vein to many tedious di- 

 seases ; while on the other hand, where there is real 

 necessity for the operation of bleeding, it is of the 

 greatest benefit and importance to the horse. 



Mr. Clarke of Edinburgh has some very excellent 

 and judicious remarks on blood-letting. He says — 

 " As horses are naturally timorous and fearful, which 

 is too frequently increased by bad usage and improper 

 correction, they require in some cases, particularly in 

 this of bleeding, to be taken unawares, or by surprise, 



Y 



