188 DOCKING. 



of the portion removed depended upon the caprice of 

 the owner; or upon that of the operator. Many 

 breeders docked the colt a few days after it was 

 born; and they acted with judgment in selecting so 

 early a time ; for the little animal is more manage- 

 able ; the haemorrhage is less ; the pain is evidently 

 not so great; and inflammation at this early period 

 very rarely occurs. The operation, however, is sub- 

 ject to the objection that the young animal is by it 

 deprived of that weapon, which nature furnishes for 

 the purpose of keeping away flies. 



The length of the tail being determined on, the 

 operator searches for the nearest joint above or below 

 the place indicated. The hair which grew round the 

 joint is cut off; and that which was growing above 

 the joint, turned up and confined by a string. The 

 side line is next put on, and the twitch tightened ; 

 then availing himself of the partition between the 

 stalls, or in any other convenient shelter, the tail was 

 cut off at one blow; either by the instrument made 

 forthe purpose, or with a mallet and the carving-knife. 



The gush of blood was considerable. It would 

 rarely happen that any danger ensued if the tail were 

 left to bleed ; but, as the proprietor might be a little 

 alarmed at the quantity of blood lost; it was usual 

 barbarously to stop the haemorrhage by means of a 

 circular piece of heated iron affixed to a handle, and 

 with a hole in the centre of it. 



Should the iron come in contact with the bone, and 

 sear it with any severity, exfoliation must take place ; 

 or even some danger was incurred of the bone slough- 

 ing out so far as the next joint. 



