CHAPTER XIII 



METHODS OF RESTRAINT AND COMMON OPERATIONS 



RESTRAINT 



The object of restraint is to secure the animal in such a manner 

 that it can neither injure itself nor the person handling it. To 

 be most effective, restraining apparatus should inconvenience 

 and pain the animal as little as possible. Kindness and gentle- 

 ness on the part of man go a long way toward getting the animal's 

 confidence. 



TWITCHING 



The twitch is the most satisfactory and convenient way to 

 restrain horses and mules in the standing position for common 

 operations. It is made by passing a loop of cord through a hole 

 bored in one end of a round stick (Fig. 62) . The loop should be 



Fig. 62. — A homemade twitch. 



large enough to admit the closed fist. To apply the twitch the 

 operator passes his left hand through the loop of the cord and 

 firmly grasps the upper Up of the horse. With his right hand 

 he twists the stick of the twitch until the lip becomes tightly 

 squeezed by the cord. It acts by squeezing the lip until the 

 pain produced is sufficient to divert the animal's attention. It 

 is inhuman to twist the twitch tighter than is absolutely necessary, 

 besides there is danger of causing paralysis of the lip. 



HOPPLING 



Hopples are used to tie the feet together for the purpose of 

 securing the animal in the recumbent position for operations. 



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