8 INTRODUCTION. 



In order to cast and secure an animal properly and success- 

 fiillj the operator should possess a level head associated with 

 plenty of courage and confidence. He should retain his equili- 

 brium in spite of any untoward accident or emergency which 

 may chance to take place. Self-confidence and good judgment 

 are both valuable assets in performing work of the character 

 which this book undertakes to illustrate and describe. The 

 surgeon should get control and remain in control from the time 

 the twitch is placed on the animal preparatory to applying the 

 hobbles or casting harness until the animal is again on its feet. 

 Experience and dexterity are not to be underrated in the oper- 

 ator who is to undertake the task of securing and properly con- 

 fining the larger of our domestic animals. Do not allow your- 

 self to become excited or unduly alarmed or aggravated should 

 everything not transpire as smoothly as you expect or desire, 

 for in so doing the surgeon is not in possession of his mental 

 faculties sufficiently to do justice either to himself, his patient 

 or his client. 



Perfect, or even good, surgery is impossible without per- 

 fect restraint. The surgeon is no better than the restraint 

 method which he uses. It is rare to see a surgeon handle a knife 

 any more skillfully than he handles his restraint technique. 

 Imperfect restraint means an imperfect operation. 



This book contains 338 illustrations; of this number 312 

 are zinc etchings made from pen drawings, and 26 are half- 

 tones from original photographs. In compiling and placing it 

 before the profession of this country I have endeavored in so 

 far as possible to avoid technicalities in order to make it valua- 

 ble to the student and amateur horseman. 



I do not care to be held responsible for the imperfections 

 of many of the modes of restraint and subjection illustrated and 

 described. I have endeavored to the best of my ability to illus- 

 trate and describe the good methods as well as those which are 

 bad or even indifferent. Each operator should select his favor- 

 ite method — the one or ones which most appeal to his fancy — 

 and by practice become proficient in the skillful use of same. 



My thanks are due and are hereby acknowledged to Professors 

 A. Liautard, John A. W. Dollar, W. L. Williams, and L. A. 



