DOCKING AND PRICKING. 429 



as constantly growing. It is not possible to say what deter- 

 mines the fall of these hairs in horses not domesticated. It may 

 be some circumstance connected with their age or length more 

 than with the change of season. When brushed and combed 

 many of them are pulled out. 



Docking. — In this country the horse's tail is regarded as 

 a useless or troublesome appendage. It was given to ward off 

 the attacks of blood-sucking flies. 



In this country, for several months of the year, thin-skinned 

 horses suffer excessively, and many accidents happen from their 

 struggles or their fears. At grass, in certain districts, they are 

 in a constant fever. 



It is surely worth while inquiring, whether all that is gained 

 by docking balances the loss. In comparing the two, it ought to 

 be rememV)ered that lockjaw and death are not rare results of 

 the operation. 



The operation of pricking, after the old fashion, is barbarous 

 in the extreme. As practised here, it is much more simple, 

 effectual, and less painful. If the tail is to be docked, let that 

 first be done, and then permitted to heal perfectly. Perhaps 

 this operation may make the horse carry his tail so well as to 

 prevent the necessity of pricking. But if it does not, then let 

 him be pricked. 



Operation. — The tail has four cords, two upper and two 

 lower. The upper ones raise the tail, the lower ones depress it, 

 and these last alone are to be cut. Take a sharp penknife with 

 a long slender blade ; insert the blade between the bone and 

 under cord, two inches from the body ; place the thumb of the 

 hand holding the knife against the under part of the tail, and 

 opposite the blade. Then press the blade toward the thumb 

 against the cord, and cut the cord off, bat do not let the knife 

 cut through the skin. The cord is firm, and it will easily be 

 known when it is cut off. The thumb will tell when to desist, 

 that the skin may not be cut. Sever the cord twice on each 

 side in the same manner. Let the cuts be two inches apart. 

 The cord is nearly destitute of sensation ; yet when the tail is 

 pricked iu the old manner, the wound to the skin and flesh is 

 severe, and much fever is induced, and it takes a long time to 

 heal. But with this method, the horse's tail will not bleed, nor 



