NICKING. 51 



the bone in two or three places indeed there is so 

 much difference in horses, that some judgment must 

 be exercised about the mode best to be adopted to the 

 accomplishment of the object in view. 



Nothing can more disfigure the appearance of a 

 horse, than to be half nicked. The form of the tail, 

 when this unfortunately happens, departs from the 

 simplicity of nature, and never attains the elegance 

 of art. 



The first mode of nicking I shall describe, is the 

 simplest, and attended with the least trouble ; and 

 although it succeeds well, twice out of three times, yet 

 I think inferior to the other two I shall presently de- 

 scribe. Being prepared with a sharp knife and a 

 crooked piece of iron or buck's horn, for the purpose 

 of performing the operation. 



1st. Have a twitch placed upon his nose as directed 

 in the engraving annexed. Figure 3. 



2d. With a strong rope, confine his left hind leg to 

 his left fore leg, above the knee. Figures 5 < 6. 



3d. Plat 'the tail close and neatly, from the root to 

 the end, clubbing or turning it over a small stick. 

 Figure 7. 



4th. Turn the tail up, with a strong arm that can 

 keep it firm and steady, in a direct line with his rump 

 and back-bone. Figure 7. 



5th. With a sharp knife make an incision on each 

 side of the tail about three inches long, in a longitu- 

 dinal direction, about two inches from the root, and 

 about a quarter of an inch from the outer edge of the 

 tail, next to the hair ; so soon as you get through the 

 skin, you will find exposed the two large tendons. 

 6 



