Slings for Horses. 33 



possible. It is his natural position in sleep, and it is 

 not nearly so fatiguing to hira, even when extremely de- 

 bilitated, as some kind hearted people but of slight anatomi- 

 cal knowledge, have asserted. 



In fact, no stable is complete in its appointments that is 

 not provided with the apparatus known as " the sling,'^ in 

 which to support in an erect position a horse unable or un- 

 willing to stand. The use of this alone will cure some cases, 

 and is absolutely indispensable for the successful treatment 

 of many others. The simplest form of the sling, as recom- 

 mended by Prof. Law, is as follows : 



Four strong posts are fixed to the ground and roof so as 

 to form an oblong, inside which the four feet of the animal 

 may stand. A strono; horizontal bar is then fixed to the two 

 posts on each side, at such a height as to correspond to the 

 middle of the body. Then the animal being walked into 

 the frame, a horizontal bar is fixed between the two front 

 posts so high as to cross the lower part of the neck, and 

 another between the two hind posts at about the height of 

 the stiA'C. Next a strong piece of sailcloth or other firm 

 material strengthened by small ropes, is fixed to the bar on 

 one side by being wound around and nailed to the outer 

 side, and having been passed beneath the body is nailed to 

 the bar on the other side in the same way. It must be just 

 sufficiently far back to clear the fore limbs, and just so loose 

 as to allow the patient to stand over it without pressure or 

 chafing, or to settle himself into it at will. In the male care 

 must be taken to have it narrow enough not to cover the sheath. 



It is often necessary to allow an animal to become 

 fatigued by standing for a day or two before being j)ut in a 

 sling, otherwise he may be very irritable at first. Care 

 must be taken not to let him feel the sling beneath him 

 until it is ready to be fixed, as many patients will settle down 

 into it the moment it is felt. 



3 



