METHODS OF CASTING HORSES. 27 



grasped, brought alongside the hind, and secured to them by a couple 

 of half -hitches passed round the pasterns. This method has the 

 advantage of requiring no re-arrangement of the ropes to draw down 

 the hind legs and so expose the field of operation for castration, though, 

 as the hind limbs are at first comparatively free, the animal can plant 

 them wide apart, and the force required for casting it is somewhat 

 greater than in the method previously mentioned. It is usually 

 employed when castrating colts. Some operators use a stout leather 

 strap collar with iron eyes for the passage of the ropes, instead of 

 merely passing them through the improvised rope loop. When the 



Fig. 44. — The hobbles applied. 



animal is very active, it is well to affix a roller or surcingle to which 

 the collar or neck loop can be tied ; otherwise the latter may slip off. 

 To work the above methods successfully requires thorough 

 discipline of and co-operation between the various assistants. In- 

 attention on the part of anyone may entail serious accident or failure 

 of the whole operation. The method of casting, however, most fre- 

 quently employed is that illustrated in Figs. 44 and 45, which show 

 the application of leather hobbles. The hobble usually applied to the 

 upper fore-limb is called the master-hobble, and carries a special key, 

 by means of which the chain or rope is attached. Traction on the 

 rope draws the feet together, the horse begins to lose its balance, 

 and at the critical moment the rope attached to the surcingle is 

 pulled, one or more assistants helping if necessary by pulling on 



