CASTRATION. 571 



on, with the knotted part appUed to the counter or breast ; 

 the long pendant ends are passed backwards between the 

 fore legs, then, carried round the hind fetlocks ; brought 

 forward again on the outside, run under the collar-rope ; 

 a second time carried backward on the outer side of 

 all, and extended to the full length in a direct line behind 

 the animal. Thus fettered, Mr. Percivall says his hind feet 

 may be drawn under him towards the elbows ; it has been, 

 however, often found that, at the moment the rope touches 

 the legs, the colt either kicks and displaces the rope, or 

 altogether displaces himself ; but his attention can generally 

 be engaged by one fore leg being held up, or by having his 

 ear or muzzle rubbed, or even by the twitch : if not, the 

 rope may be carried actually round each fetlock, which then 

 acts like a hobble ; and this rope may be gradually tight- 

 ened : this last however is a very questionable method, and 

 the others therefore ought to be long tried before it is resorted 

 to ; in this way people have succeeded with very refractory 

 colts ; but it requires very able assistants, and, if possible, 

 the man who has been used to the individual colt should be 

 present. In either way, as soon as the rope is fixed, with 

 a man to each end of it behind the colt, let them, by a 

 sudden and forcible effort in concert, approximate his hind 

 legs to his fore, and thus throw him. Before the colt is 

 cast, however, it should be endeavoured to ascertain that he 

 is free from strangles and hernia. 



Being satisfied that no hernia exists on either side, pro- 

 ceed to cast the colt, turning him, not directly on the left 

 side, but principally inclining that way ; and if possible let 

 the croup be very slightly elevated : it is usual to place him 

 directly flat on the left side, but the above is more con- 

 venient. Next secure the near hind leg with a piece of 

 hempen tackle, having a running noose ; or, in default of 

 this not being at hand, make use of the flat part of a hempen 

 halter, which should for safety be put on before the hobble 

 of that leg is removed ; as may be readily done if the hobbles 

 having shifting or screw D's, as described in casting, are 

 made use of. Every requisite being at hand, the operator, 

 having his scalpel ready, should place himself behind the 

 horse, as the most convenient way to perform his manipu- 

 lations ; and firmly grasping the left testicle with his left 



