CASTING WITH ROPES. 29 



loop of rope passetl round the neck may advantageously be replaced by 

 a strong leather straj) provided with iron eyelets, through which the 

 rope is returned, these eyelets diminishing friction and permitting the 

 rope to run more freelv. 



A commoner method of procedure is to form in the centre of a 

 long rope, a fixed loop sufficiently large to pass round the animal's 



Fig. 44. — The hobbles. 



neck and rest on its shoulders. The knot lies in front of the chest, and 

 the free ends of the rope are passed from within outwards round the 

 hind legs above the hocks, and back again through the neck loop. They 

 are then held on each side by one or two men, according to the animal's 

 size and weight. When all is ready one of the fore-feet is lifted, the 



Fig. 45. — Crus.s-hobbles, or thigh and forearm straps. 



loops of rope are slipped from above the hocks downwards into the 

 hollows of the heels, and the men pull steadily on the free ends of the 

 rope, causing the animal to subside on its hocks, whence it usually falls 

 gently on to its quarters. It is best if one group of men pulls outwards 

 at right angles to the shoulder and the other somewhat backwards. 

 Immediately the animal is on the ground it is pushed on to its back, 



