PHYSICKING. 231 



to free himself from the manipulation of his unscientific 

 tormentors, by suddenly withdrawing his head, and 

 either ejects the whole of the contents of the horn, or a 

 portion of it having passed into the windpipe he falls a 

 victim to the ignorance and clumsiness of the operators. 



In giving a ball, as little notice as possible should be 

 given the horse of the intention of doing so ; for if he 

 discovers what is about to be performed, he will be sure 

 to endeavour to defeat it, and cause a deal of trouble. 



Therefore, all twitching, gagging, and the use of the 

 balling iron should be dispensed with, unless the horse 

 is known to be addicted to biting, when these will be- 

 come absolutely necessary to protect the operator from 

 the danger of losing one or more of his fingers. 



Having racked up the horse for a few minutes prior 

 to performing the operation, so that he may have 

 cleansed his mouth by swallowing all food, &c, let 

 him be turned round in the stall or box. 



The operator holding the ball between his teeth, 

 must twist the halter once round his left hand, and 

 then pulling out the tongue with his right, should 

 deliver it to the left, in which he should hold it gently, 

 and then raising the head slightly, and taking hold of 

 the ball between the ends of the three first fingers of 

 his right hand, should pass it quickly into the pharynx, 

 and then rapidly withdraw his hand and remove his 

 hold of the tongue. The head should now be kept 

 elevated, and the mouth closed until the ball has been 

 swallowed. 



