t)42 OPEKATIOKS. 



round their resiDective pasterns, and then passed through the eye 

 of the improvised collar at its own side. The horse's head being 

 steadied by a twitch, two assistants, one on each side, pull on the 

 rojDes, and thereby draw his hind legs forward ; when a push or a 

 pull on the tail is all that is needed to throw him on his side. An 

 extra turn of rope is taken round the pasterns, so as to prevent the 

 hind feet getting loose. The ropes are tightened and the animal 

 fixed securely, with his hind legs drawn closely to his sides, and 

 well separated, so as to freely expose the testicles and the under 

 surface of the belly. If the loop of the rope presses unduly on the 

 windpipe, it should be pulled away from that part, or the uppermost 

 hind leg may be drawn forward, which will also relieve it. It is 

 well to put bandages on the hind pasterns to prevent them being 

 cut by the rope. Instead of the foregoing method, I jDrefer to 

 take a rather thin, though strong and flexible, rope, and two 

 iron rings about 2^ inches in diameter, which. I include in the 

 knot forming the collar (Fig. 157). To jDrevent the rings getting 

 out of place, I make with the rope another knot behind them. 

 The knot of the collar (and rings), as in the first method, is 

 jolaced near the withers (Fig. 158), and the roi3es, instead of going 

 over the hind pasterns, are passed respectively through rings on 

 hobbles which have been previously put on the hind pasterns (Fig. 

 159). The employment of these hobbles, which are lined with felt, 

 allows the ropes to run freely and obviates all risk of their cutting 

 the animal's hind pasterns. 



In all cases, when on the ground, the horse's head should be kept 

 down, and his muzzle well extended. If, when using the casting 

 rope, we want to operate on on© of the fore legs, we may, after 

 having thrown the animal, strap up the other fore leg, by its 

 pastern, to a surcingle which had previously been put on. 



Care should be taken that the horse is not tied up too tightly, 

 lest, during his endeavours to free himself, he may fracture one 

 of the bones of his back or limbs. 



Mr. Reginald Over has designed an admirable spring hobble 

 (Fig. 160) to be used when casting horses. Its special advantage 

 is that it can be readily slipped over the pastern, without having 

 to buckle it. It is made by Mr. Huish, 12 Red Lion Square, 

 London W.C. 



2. By side lines, according to Mr. Over^s plan. Supposing that 

 the horse is to be cast on the near side, place him on the selected 

 spot ; have him held by a man, who should stand in front of him ; 

 and put Mr. Over's spring hobbles on the off fore and on both 

 hind pasterns. Take a rope about 8 yards long with a short loop 

 round one end, and by the aid of this loop, make a collar with 

 the rope round the animal's neck ; the knot being on the off side 



