CHAPTER 11. 

 Casting and Securing Harness and Ropes. 



Casting and restraining the horse by use of harness, ropes 

 or other methods — aside from hobbles and operating tables — 

 will surely test the skill and dexterity of the surgeon in the effi- 

 ciency of his restraint technique. It is by means of the 

 various designs of securing harness and ropes that most of the 

 "special positions" of the animal are obtained. Special posi- 

 tions are necessary in order to perform certain surgical opera- 

 tions. 



Restraint by use of casting harness and ropes means re- 

 'straint in its broadest sense. With these special appliances we 

 are enabled to render the animal absolutely motionless and at 

 the same time harmless. When thus properly restrained the ani- 

 mal is entirely at our mercy, and we can with safety and con- 

 fidence proceed with whatever operation we wish to undertake. 



Casting and securing harness, and rope methods, vary much 

 in their "make-up." They not only vary in different countries 

 but in different sections of the same country. The original de- 

 signs are constantly being modified by different practitioners. 



Knots Used in Rest"raint for Fixing the Various Ropes, 

 Cords and Straps. 



In order to properly fix or secure ropes, 

 cords or straps, the surgeon should know 

 the formation of the different varieties of 

 knots used for this purpose. 



Figure 125 represents the Gramy knot. 

 The formation of this knot is somewhat 

 Fig 125. The Gramy tedious and complicated ; how^ever, when 

 Knot. once formed or applied it will not slip. 



