Ol ANI.MAL CASTRATION 



the off side slioukl be earried forward, well in front of the animal, and 

 lieUl by two assistants. To east the animal, traetion is made on eaeli rope, 

 and at the same time the animal is forced backward a step by the assistant 

 in ehar^'e of the head. The head is pulled to the right and the animal is 

 east on the near side. 



In order to securely tie the animal after he is cast (Pig. 38) the main 

 ropes (X, X) are fastened around the pasterns by two half hitches, and 

 are then pa.ssed l)ehind the hocks (P, P) in a figure-8 fashion a couple of 

 times, after which they are secured about the pasterns (0, 0) by half 

 hitches. The opposite side is secured likewise after the animal is turned 

 over. See to it that the hocks are completely flexed and that the feet are 



Fig. 39 — Miles' ridgling spreaders. 



not extended too far forward. After the hind legs are secured applj^ a 

 knee strap (JI) to the off fore leg. The ililes spreaders (Pig. 39) are then 

 applied, after which the animal is secured for operation. Tlie author's 

 ideal, casting harness illustrated on page 218, has been found to be entirely 

 satisfactorjr for restraining ridgling horses for operation. Withj tliid 

 harness the animal is cast and tied by the same methods as those described 

 as being used with the Knowles harness. 



While I do not dispute the possibility of castrating a ridgling horse on 

 the operating table, nevertheless its practicability is seriously doubted. 



Posiiion — Lateral recumbent position with tlie side of the undescended 

 testicle uppermost. Hocks completely flexed. Hind feet not too far for- 

 ward and the tliigh completely abducted. 



