DEHORNING 97 



method the animal need not be secured except to be 

 tied to a post with a strong halter. The clippers first 

 used crushed the horn-core, leaving a wound that took 

 a long time to heal, but with the modern clippers this 

 crushing is largely done away with. 



There is very little choice between the use of the 

 saw and clippers in regard to the quality of the work 

 done. The use of the saw requires a longer time and 

 causes greater pain. By the use of the clippers the 

 operation is done much more quickly and is all over 

 with before the animal has a chance to struggle. When 

 the clippers are used the blood vessels supplying the 

 horn are cut off smoother than with the saw, conse- 

 quently bleeding does not stop as quickly. Where 

 either the saw or clippers are used it is necessary to get 

 one-eighth to one-fourth of an inch below the point 

 where the horn and skin grow together to prevent 

 further growth. Unless this precaution is taken, the 

 horn is likely to continue to grow, giving an unsightly 

 appearance to the head. 



The operation should not be performed either during 

 fly time or cold weather, the best time being in the fall 

 after the flies have gone and before cold weather sets in. 

 When the horn is cut off the frontal sinus is opened, 

 and during cold weather the air drawn in at each in- 

 spiration is likely to cause catarrh and give rise to serious 

 trouble. If done in fly time the cavity frequently 

 becomes fly-blown and filled with maggots, which pre- 

 vents its healing and causes great agony to the animal. 

 The operation should be performed on a pleasant day 

 when the animals can be turned out after the work of 

 dehorning is completed. It is well to have on hand 

 some bandages, pine tar, and absorbents to check the 

 flow of blood. 



The easiest, cheapest, most successful, and least pain- 

 ful method of dehorning is by the application of a 

 caustic while the animals are young. Although this 

 causes some pain, it is merely a burning sensation which 



