OPERATIONS, 
an 
CHAPTER XII 
OPERATIONS. 
Although operations are more the province of the veteri¬ 
nary surgeon than of private individuals, yet it would not 
be proper to pass over these without partially touching upon 
the subject. It is well for the untaught at least to know 
how the most simple of these are performed, and to them 
only shall we draw attention. 
It is easy to imagine that in several operations the 
animals must suffer considerable pain, and under these are 
frequently very restiff. It therefore becomes necessary to 
have certain instruments constructed to restrain the animals, 
and prevent them from injuring themselves, as well as for 
the safety of the operator. These we shall describe in the 
first instance. 
The Travis. —This machine, considered by Continental 
horse-shoeing blacksmiths as indispensable accompaniments 
to their forge, is comparatively rare in this country. On 
the Continent, even the quietest horses are shod in the 
travis. It consists of very strong bars of wood, between 
which the horse is confined and slung. Although this is 
well calculated to prevent danger to the blacksmith, yet 
many fine horses have been rendered useless from their 
violent resistance to such confinement. 
The Barnacles. —These are the handles of the pincers, 
which are placed over and enclose the muzzle. These are 
compressed by the assistant in operations. They give great 
pain, but are indispensable with some horses to enforce 
