240 DADD'S VETERINARY MEDICINE AND SURGERY. 



more than the twitch ; and some horses may be quieted, when thf 

 pain is not excessive, by holding the ear in one hand, and rubbing 

 the point of the nose with the other. A soothing manner will 

 often engage the attention and prevent violence ; but it is seldom 

 that either threats or punishment render an unruly horse more 

 calm. Inexperienced persons guard themselves only against the 

 hind legs; but they should be aware that some horses strike ter- 

 ribly with their fore-feet. It is prudent, therefore, in all opera- 

 tions, to blindfold the animal, as, by this, he becomes particularly 

 intimidated, and if he strikes he can not aim. When one of the 

 fore extremities requires a very minute examination, it is prudent 

 to have the opposite leg held up (it may, in some cases, be tied) ; 

 and when one of the hinder feet is the object of attention, the fore 

 one of the same side should be held up, as, by this means, the ani- 

 mal is commonly prevented from striking. If this precaution be 

 not taken, still observe to keep one hand on the hock, while the 

 other is employed in what is necessary, by which means, if the 

 foot become elevated to kick, sufficient warning is given, and the 

 very action of the horse throws the operator away from the sti oke. 

 Without the use of these arts, the practitioner will expose himself 

 to much risk. The trevis is the very utmost limit of restraint, 

 and is seldom used save by smiths, to shoe very violent and power- 

 ful horses. Whenever recourse is had to it, the greatest caution is 

 necessary to bed and bolster all the parts that are likely to come 

 in contact with the body. On the Continent we have seen horses 

 shod in this machine, and apparently put into it from no necessity 

 greater than to prevent the clothes of the smith from being dirtied. 

 Horses have been destroyed by the trevis, as well as by casting; 

 or their aversion to the restraint has been such, they have died 

 from the consequences of their own resistance. The side-line is 

 now very generally used, not only in minor operations, but also in 

 those more important. Many veterinarians do not use any other 

 restraint than this, in which they consider there is safety both to 

 the horse and to the operator. It is applicable to such horses as 

 are disposed to strike behind, and consists in placing a hobble-strap 

 around the pastern of one hind leg, and then carrying from a web 

 collar, passed over the head, the end of a rope through the D of the 

 hobble, and back again under the webbing round the neck. A 

 man is then set to pull at the free end of the rope, by ^Lich the 

 hinder leg is drawn forward without elevating it from tl e ground. 



