SECURING SOLIPEDS. 



37 



and it has the advantage, besides, of " preventing fractures of the 

 vertebral column, ruptui-e of the diaphragm, and rupture of in- 

 ternal viscera." 



In some exceptional cases the surgeon will be obHged to im- 

 provise his hobbles. This may be done by fastening four ropes 

 of suitable length around the coronets, allowing sufficient room 

 for the passage of the casting rope between the hobbles and the 

 Bkia, or again placing an iron ring through these loops of rope, 

 which are secured by a knot on the outside of the leg, as suggest- 

 ed by 'Mi: Dneubourg. 



The removal of the hobbles and of the other aj)paratus em- 

 ployed ui casting the animal, demands similar care and attention 

 to that which was requu-ed to put them on. "While the Bernardot 

 & Buttel surcingle is unbuckled, the assistant loosening the 



U^'.il,.M, ,,,/M/i,. 



Fig. 24.— Improved Hobbles of Dneubourg. 



straps of the cap, and ready to remove it at a moment's notice, 

 the operator placing himself facing the soles of the feet, in order 

 to be out of dangei', cautiously unscrews the screw-pin which 

 fastens the chain to the principal hobble, and removes it, when aU 

 the hobbles becoming loose, are removed, and the animal being 

 freed from all restraint, is allowed to rise. 



While the animal is rising it will be but prudent in the by- 

 standers to allow him all the scope he may choose. The action is 

 sudden and somewhat violent, and he may move his hind legs 



