CHAPTER XVII. 



CASTRATION. 



Colts may be castrated at any age, but we would recom- 

 mend from one to two years old as the best age ; if well 

 formed, and not deficient in front, one year old is more safe ; 

 but if light in the fore-hand, a year more will improve the 

 crest and shoulder, and give him a more furnished appear- 

 ance. The best season is in the spring when the pasture is 

 becoming green, after the cold is past, but before the heat 

 and flies begin. We have castrated at all seasons of the 

 year ; except when running at pasture, preparation by bran 

 mashes, &c., is necessary, and old horses in high condition 

 should be physicked out. Before being cast for the opera- 

 tion, he should be carefully examined, to make sure that no 

 hernia exists, and that both testicles are down. The hobbles 

 or rope may be used for casting ; in young colts we prefer 

 the latter. 



The operation may be performed in one of three ways, 

 — viz., cauterisation and ligature of the artery of the cord, as 

 recommended by Blaine and others of his day, taught by 

 Dick, and almost invariably practised by ourselves ; caustic 

 clams, the method taught in the French schools, and exten- 

 sively practised on this continent ; or by the more novel 

 method of torsion, now becoming fashionable in Europe : 

 Like the able author of " The Horse," " we must confess we 



