162 avery's own farrier. 



that are separated in pricking are divided in docking. 

 And the main support of the tail and back is on the up- 

 per side of the tail, and consists of cords and muscles 

 which are more numerous and lay closer to the bone than 

 those on the under side," which are only two of any im- 

 portance, and the only use of these appear to be to pull 

 the tail down. These two cords are situated, one on each 

 side of the bone of the tail, and near the edge of the 

 hair. There are three blood vessels also on the under 

 side of the tail, the two largest of these being placed on 

 the outside, one directly under each of the cords, and the 

 smaller one in the centre or directly below the bone. In 

 the ancient method of pricking, these blood vessels were 

 all severed, letting the horse bleed very profusely, which 

 weakened him more or less, for the time being any how, 

 and should be avoided as it is in the more modern man- 

 ner of performing this operation. Pricking may be ac- 

 complished (after the horse is secured sufficiently for 

 safety), by merely dividing these two cords or tendons 

 on each side of the tail, nearly under the second joint 

 from the body. One place is sufficient, though if you 

 should prefer it, cut off the cords again about two inches 

 from the first incision, with a small sharp-pointed knife, 

 with the edge running only about one inch from the 

 point and made concave the rest of the way, or well 

 rounded off so that it will not cut; then hold the tail up 

 with one hand, and run the knife in with the other, near 

 the edge of the hair, being careful to cut the cord quite 

 off and not cut the large blood vessel which lies imme- 

 diately beneath, being sure not to let the knife touch the 



