14 



LIFTING FORE AND HIND-LIMBS. 



flexure of the knee to prevent the cord slipping off. As, however, 

 the horse is apt to lose its balance, a serious fall sometimes results. 



To prevent striking out with 

 the fore-feet a foot may be lifted 

 or both legs fastened together 

 above the knees. Another plan is 

 to pass a cord or strap several 

 times around the forearms and 

 fasten it to the surcingle. Some 

 operators fasten the fore-limb to 

 the hind-limb of the same side by 

 a cord passed round the pasterns 

 (Fig. 26). This prevents the horse 

 striking out . but may cause a severe 

 fall should it struggle. There are 

 several methods of holding up a 

 hind-foot. A loop of cord may be 

 passed round the neck and one of 

 the free ends carried along the 

 back as far as the root of the tail, 

 around which a turn is taken ; 

 the rope is then passed once around 

 the pastern of the hind-foot to be 

 held up. The horse is thus forced to bear a great part of any strain 

 he may put on the limb. This is a simpler but not a better method 



Fi<;.27. 



-Pulling up and fixing a hind- 

 foot for operation. 



Fig. 28.— The Hippo-lasso. 



than that of Hann, who carries a cord from a ring fixed to the 

 top of the surcingle, first over the back and croup, then through a 



