CASTING. 657 



The smaller hobble links are then passed through the larger 

 ones. 



The assistant at the main hobble (Plate V.) passes through its 

 projecting link the end of the chain, which is then passed from 

 the inside through the link of the off fore hobble, then from 

 the outside through the link of the off hind hobble, and from 

 the inside through the link of the near hind hobble, and up 

 again to the main hobble, and its screwed end (-S', Plate V.) 

 secured in the space T by the key. 



One or two men then lay hold of the web {a, Fig. V.), and 

 three or four men lay hold of the free end of the chain and rope, 

 and at a given signal all pull. The animal's four legs are thus 

 drawn together, and he is pulled over by the men at the web. 

 The man holding the head should endeavour to keep the 

 animal's neck straight, and not allow it to bend towards the 

 chest. 



The chain is drawn as tight as possible, and the D inserted 

 into the last link of the chain passed through the link of the 

 main hobble, and then screwed up, to prevent it from slipping 

 back. The free end of the web is then passed round the near 

 hind leg and back again round the near fore one, and twisted 

 round so as to prevent its slipping (Plate V., dotted line c). 



If the animal is to be cast on the near side, the main hobble 

 is to be placed on the off fore pastern, and the web on the same 

 leg. 



When the operation is over, the web must first be removed, 

 then the hey must be unscrewed, and the hobbles, thus being 

 freed, removed from the legs ; the twitch is then taken off, and 

 the animal allowed to rise. 



2u 



