CASTRATION OF THE HORSE 33 



Preparation of the Subject.— Pood should lie with- 

 held for 12 hours before operating, and if the subject 

 can be given suitable exercise (walking or trotting for 

 a few miles) before being castrated, it will stimulate 

 bowel evacuation and render the subject more tract) 

 able. Sufficient time should l)e allowed for the sul)- 

 ject to cool oft' if the exertion has caused him to become 

 heated. 



Restraint and Anesthesia. — When it is possible, these 

 subjects should Ije restrained in the stantling position 

 since it eliminates the liability to injury from casting. 

 Some young stallions ot saddle or ligh1 htirness breeds 

 are very lU'rvous, and while manageable as 1,hey arc 

 ordinarily used, are difficult to restrain for standing 

 castration, and the manner in which the suliject is to 

 l)e handled is a prol)Iem that the veterinarian needs to 

 decide for himself. Tn restraining aged animals be- 

 cause of the danger of fractures of liones resulting, it 

 is best to operate with the animal in the standing posi- 

 tion. 



The rectal administration of from one to two and a 

 half ounces of chloral hydrate dissolved in two or 

 three quarts of tepid water a half hour before operat- 

 ing, will serve to produce sufficient stupefaction to 

 materially loenumb soisation and prevent the animal 

 from resisting restraint. One-half grain of atropin 

 combined with two grains of morphin and given sub- 

 cutaneously about 20 minutes before the rectal admin- 

 istration of an ounce of chloral hydrate, constitutes 

 a synergistic combination that will positively produce 

 a degree of stupefaction which will make possible the 

 safe handling of the most nervous animal. The rectal 

 contents should be manually removed before introduc- 

 ing the solution of choral hydrate. 



