CHAPTER XI. 
CASTRATION AND THE DIFFICULTIES AND 
DISEASES THAT FOLLOW. 
UNDER favorable conditions of health, castration should 
be performed at the age of one year. The safest 
months are April and May, and the safest time eight 
or ten days after being turned out to pasture when 
he is shedding his coat. 
I. — Precautions Before Operating. 
Never operate on a colt unless he is in good condition 
and healthy. See that he has no distemper or any such 
disease. Choose good weather — not too hot or too cold — and 
avoid east winds and damp weather. It is necessary that 
hands and instruments be thoroughly cleansed by washing 
them in warm water, a little soap and a few drops of carbolic 
acid. If the age be above a year it is best to feed very light 
the day before the operation, as there is less danger from 
being thrown and tied and also from the operation itself, 
when the bowels are empty. It is important to ascertain 
whether or not the colt has ever suffered from rupture, as he 
must be acted upon differently. Examine the testicles to see 
that they are down. An aged horse's sheath is sometimes 
dirty, and when such is the case it should be washed out, 
cleansed and oiled well with lard a few days previous to 
operation, to prevent after-swelling. Generally speaking, 
after these precautions, so far as the animal is concerned, he 
is ready for the tackling. 
II. — Casting or TuRowiNa 
There are several methods of doing this. It is only 
necessary here to mention two of the most important. 
1. The Belt Tackling. • 
The Belt Tackling is the simpler of these, the easier to 
handle and that more generally used in this country. We 
have used it successfully in our own practice and confidently 
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