654 OPERATIONS. 



It is well to put bandages on the hind pasterns to prevent them 

 being cut by the rope. Instead of the foregoing method, I prefer 

 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. 162, p. 653). To prevent the rings 

 getting out of place, make with the rope another knot behind 

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

 is placed near the withers (Fig. 163, p. 653), and the ropes, instead 

 of going over the hind pasterns, are passed respectively through 

 rings on hobbles which have been previously put on the hind 

 pasterns (Fig. 164, p. 655). 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 one of the fore legs, 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 top tightly, 

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

 the bones of his back or limbs. 



Mr. Eeginald Over has designed an admirable spring hobble 

 (Fig. 165, p. 655) to be used when casting horses. Its special 

 advantage is that it can be readily slipped over the pastern, with- 

 out 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 

 of the shoulders (Fig. 166, p. 657). Pass the free end of the rope 

 through the hobble on the off hind; bring it through the collar 

 round the neck ; and give it to a man, who should stand on the 

 near side of the horse and a little behind him. Attach another 

 and similar rope to the near fore pastern (preferably by a small 

 loop) ; pass its free end through the hobble on the near hind ; 

 bring it outside the animal's off fore ; and hand it to a man, who 

 should stand a little in front of the horse, and on the off side (Fig. 

 167, p. 657). The man holding the front rope (aided, if possible, 

 by a fourth assistant) then takes a strong and steady pull on it, 

 with the result that the animal's near hind is raised off the ground 

 and pulled forward, and the horse drops quietly down, with his 



