SECURING OF SOLIPEDS. i 
“twitch” places himself in front of the patient,a little towards the side, 
to avoid kicks from the fore legs. A ‘‘twitch” can be made Teadily 
with a piece of rope and a small stick. ‘‘ Barnacles” are used fo: 
the same purpose. Two rods of iron or of wood, fastened togethe 
at one end with a hinge or a rope, are placed on the upper lip, 
embracing it; then they are brought together and secured by a ring 
oracord at theotherend. The ‘‘ Polish barnacie,” also called ‘‘ Ger- 
man bit,” is advised when the application of the twitch is difficult, 
-because the horse resists, kicks, or bites. It is made of a cord some three 
or four meters long, having at one end a small loop or aring, <A large 
loop is made in passing the cord into the mouth, over the poll, anc 
again through thering. A more or less vigorous pull on the cord will 
proportionately distend the commissure of the lips, compress the 
cheeks, and produce much pain. The cord can also be made tight 
by twisting it with a piece of stick. Some authors advise inserting 
the finger or a bullet of lead in the ear. Gohier relates the cuse of a 
celebrated stallion which could not be shod without having in his ears 
bullets held together with a string. Many dangerous animals be- 
come quiet when they are temporarily blinded witha ‘‘cap” made of 
cloth or leather, or by simply having the head covered with an apron. 
To the horse that bites or defends himself: with his teeth the 
““muzzle’’ is applied. This may be replaced by a cord round the 
lower part of the head, passing over the nose, and twisting round the 
neck of the inferior maxillary bone; this is an excellent device. 
The ‘‘cradle” or ‘‘side bar” isadvantageous in preventing an ani- 
mal from biting the lateral parts of the trunk, the chest, or the fore 
legs. 
In some cases, when one operates on the fore legs, the siete 
regions of the trunk, or the head, it is prudent to have this last held 
downwards by one or two assistants. A cord or’a leather strap fas- 
tened to a halter is sometimes used, passing it between the fore legs, 
through a ring of the surcingle and then back again to the ring of the 
halter, where it is secured. The head should be held upwards, if one 
operates on the hind quarters of the animal. 
Raising one leg of an animal reduces his base of sustentation and 
renders it difficult for him to strike or kick. To raise a front foot, 
one takes hold of the canon, flexes it on the forearm, and keeps it 
in that position with both hands round the coronet—or holds it 
simply by grasping the toe with one hand, the thumb resting on the 
sole or the arch of the shoe and the fingers on the wall of the foot. 
Ordinarily, a strong: assistant can easily do this. especially if the 
twitch is used. But if the horse resists, moves constantly, or if the 
operation lasts some time, the sérap or the plate-longe is employed. 
The use of the former is common to all blacksmith shops ; its advan- 
tages are well known. With the plate-longe, the foot may he 
