52 NICKING 



6th. Make a second pair of incisions, similar to 

 the first, commencing within about two inches of the 

 termination of the first.^ 



7th. Make one other pair of incisions, in length pro- 

 portioned to the length of the tail, taking care to leave 

 about two inches at the end. 



8th. With a crooked iron or horn, take up the ten- 

 dons at the first incision, as near the root of the tail as 

 possible, and cut them smoothly in two. 



9th. Take up the tendons at the second incision, 

 and by using strength, draw those in the first incision 

 out at the second. 



10th. Draw those of the second out at the third 

 incision, and cut them off" smoothly. 



11th. Wash the tail in strong salt and water, and 

 take from the neck vein half a gallon of blood, three 

 times within a week. 



12th. The horse may be turned out or used mode- 

 rately, and should be fed on green or light food ; his 

 tail should be washed clean, with soap and water, three 

 or four times within a fortnight ; by which time, in all 

 probability, he will be entirely well. A horse nicked 

 in this way will require no pulleying, provided the tail 

 is well strained up, with a strong arm, twice a day. 



The second mode of nicking is attended with more 

 trouble than the first : but with the greatest certainty 

 of a horse carrying an elegant tail. Having confined 

 the horse as first directed, and prepared yourself with 

 a sharp knife — 



1st. Make an incision entirely across the under 

 part of the horse's tail, deep enough on each side to 

 cut in two the depressors or tendons, but shallow 

 in the middle, and about two inches from the root of 



