180 THE IMPROVED ART OF FARRIERY. 



painful. The weights attached to each, however, 

 should be moderate, as, if the incisions be not deep 

 enough, it were vain to attempt to strain the tail higher 

 than the muscles would allow, and, moreover, it gives 

 unnecessary pain to the animal. When the incision 

 is healed, the pulleys may be removed, but whilst they 

 are open they must be kept clean. The horse may be 

 exercised morning and evening. The use of the weights 

 and pulleys, or the girth and cord, are essentially ne- 

 cessary, for if they are not used, the operation of nick- 

 ing is rendered unavailing, and tlie animal has been 

 put to unnecessary pain. Should any symptoms 

 of locked-jaw follow, it will be necessary to dock one 

 joint higher than the incision or incisions 



While we are speaking of the several amputations 

 a horse is often doomed to undergo, it may not be out 

 of place to mention Castration. 



Castration, 



Is an operation performed in three different ways. 

 1. By Cauterisation, which is now most generally 

 adopted, as it is proved the safest. 2. By Ligature, 

 which is the most barbarous and inhuman method that 

 could well be invented. 3. By Excision, as is usual 

 with the human subject ; this, however, seldom 

 answers the expectation of the operator ; in many cases 

 it has been fatal, and consequently but seldom prac- 

 tised now. 



The best time for performing this operation is in the 

 month of May or August, the temperature of the at- 

 mosphere being then more regular and the weather 

 mild, both of which are essentially necessary to the 

 health of the horse in such a case. The age of the 



