MODERN FARRIER. ISl 



hair, turn it backwards, and wrap a very small cord 

 tight about that joint ; then just below this bandage 

 place the docking shears, and with a firm, steady 

 stroke, divide the tail. The part rovnid the bone 

 must then be seared with a hot iron of a circular 

 form, just large enough to enclose the bone of the 

 tail ; and a small quantity of powdered rosin may 

 also be applied to the part, and melted on it Vv'ith 

 the iron. The hair may then be untied, and suffered 

 to be in its natural position. 



Some bungling performers lay the tail on a block, 

 and chop off the part with a cleaver or hatchet, 

 struck with a mallet. Colts are sometimes docked 

 when only four or five months old ; but this is too 

 soon, as it exposes the animal to the attacks of flies 

 and insects. 



70. Nicking. 



The operation of nicking consists in dividing the 

 muscles that depress the tail, so that the muscles 

 that elevate it may operate freely. It is a cruel 

 practice, and the operation is often productive of 

 fatal consequences. 



The tail, in some horses, rises high out of the 

 back, and describes a regular and beautiful sweep, 

 much more elegant tlian the ascending curve which 

 the nicked tail presents. It cannot therefore be jus- 

 tified in any manner, except in cases where the tail 

 hangs close to the buttocks. The operation is judi- 

 ciously described by a modern writer on farriery in 

 the following m.anner : — 



* The proper mode of proceeding is to cast the 

 horse, and having all the dressings ready, the ope- 

 rator may cut a transverse line across the under part 

 of the tail, at the distance of about two inches from 

 the rump. The first incision should just go through 

 the skin, after which the muscles of each side of the 

 bone of the tail should be divided, taking care to 

 6 Q 



