50 HANDLING THE FEET. 



the left foot, and you can lift yourself into the saddle 

 easily. 



HANDLING THE PEET. 



All this should be done when the colt is first subjected 

 to treatment. If the feet are then taken up and handled, 

 there will be no after trouble. If of an ordinary good dis- 

 position, this can be done without resorting to special 

 means. Stand well up to the shoulder, put the left hand 

 on the shoulder, pressing forward gently, which will relax 

 the muscles controlling the leg, with the right hand in- 

 stantly grasp the foot below the fetlock and lift it up, 

 remove the left hand, and bring it under the foot to aid the 

 right hand. To handle the hind feet, let the right hand 

 glide gently from the shoulders back to the hip. At the 

 instant it passes the point of the hip, bring the left hand 

 forward upon the hip. While doing this, the right hand is 

 being glided down the leg gently, until it strikes the fet- 

 lock, when the left hand should be pressed firmly against 

 the body at the point stated, which will relax the limb, and 

 the foot can be easily brought up by the right ; the left is 

 lowered, and passed down the limb on the back part of 

 the fetlock. Or the foot can be raised and lowered a few 

 times with the right hand, while the left balances the body 

 by pressing against the hip until there is perfect submis- 

 sion. 



If there is resistance, take up the forefoot, request an 

 assistant to hold it up for you, while he at the same time 

 holds the colt by the halter or bridle. Tie the end of a 

 rope or strap around the hind foot, above the fetlock, at 

 the instant of doing which let the hand glide along to the 

 opposite part, until six or eight feet from the foot. At 

 the same time request the forward foot to be let loose, the 

 assistant holding by the halter. Now pull upon the strap, 

 which will bring the foot forward, and, at the instant of 

 attempting to kick, let go, and so repeat until the foot is 

 submitted to the restraint of strap. Then slip behind and 

 pull the foot back, and, as before, yielding at each effort to 

 kick, let go, until the foot is submitted freely. Now take 

 the foot from the control of the strap to the hand, and 

 handle gently. 



If there is very determined resistance, tie the end of 



