BLINDS AND TWITCHES. 



may be attached to the cheek-strap of the bridle. This obviates 

 the necessity for a man holding it. The rod must never be fixed 

 on that side of the face on which the animal will fall when cast, and 



Fig. 2. 

 Operating cap or hood. 



Fig. 3. 

 The twitch. Fig. 4—" The bulldogs. 



on which it may then continue to lie for some time. When dealing 

 with very troublesome horses, the twitch stick may preferably be 

 much longer, say six feet, and of proportionate thickness. It is 

 then held by a man, who thus gains a considerable leverage over 

 the horse, and is better able to control it. 

 Neither the iron " bulldogs " (Fig. 4) nor the 

 loop twitch (Fig. 6) is to be recommended. 

 The loop twitch not infrequently lacerates the 

 angles of the mouth, and it may induce partial 

 sloughing of the cheeks. A very much better 

 twitch is formed by passing the loop under 

 the horse's upper lip, so that it lies above the 

 upper incisors. This controls the animal almost 

 as effectually, and is not likely to produce a 

 blemish. 



The leg twitch is shown in Fig. 5. A stout 

 piece of rope, about twenty inches long, is 

 formed into a loop, through the open ends 

 of which a wooden rod is thrust. This is 

 applied to the hind limb, about four to six inches above the hock, 

 and is tightened by twisting the rod. 



It being impossible to apply the ordinary cord twitch to the ox, 



Fig. 5.— The leg-twitch 



