162 METHODS OF CASTING AND SECUUING HORSES 
bles (pages 88 and 174, volume 10, of The Veterinarian). 
I have regularly used similar ones, but with such alterations as 
have rendered them more perfect. 
Mr. James Turner and Mr. Ainslie, of London, and one or 
two more friends in the country, have also adopted my altered 
hobbles. 
The alterations I have made are, first, in having the iron work 
a size larger, so as to admit of an easier passage for the chain, 
which, in my opinion, should not be more than eighteen inches 
long; the long Ds should be one inch and a half wide, and two 
and a quarter inches long in the clear. The squares should be 
made sufficiently large to allow the others to pass through them 
with freedom. Each hobble should have a curved buckle, two 
inches in the clear, the leather of the same width, and not less 
than half an inch in thickness, and four inches long, with a 
galling leather under each buckle, and the long D attached to it 
by means of an iron chape and rivets. 
The strap end should not be less than eighteen inches lono*, 
with a square attached to it by the same means as above. 
Instead of the cottrell recommended by Mr. Gloag, I have 
found it more convenient to have one of the long Ds made open 
at the curvature, and its end tapped for the screw, with its head 
downwards, which holds the chain as in the diagram p. 163. 
This hobble I always place on the near fore-leg, and it matters 
not w'hich side the horse lies upon after the operation, as the 
thumb-screw is removed with more ease than from the cottrell. 
The hook for seeming I have made with a spring, and there 
is no necessity for a small chain attached to it. 
I have sent you for inspection a fac-simile of those used by 
me and the other gentlemen, before-named, and should be very 
happy to exhibit mine to any member of the profession at any 
time; or if practitioners in the country should feel inclined to 
adopt them generally, and wish for a sound, well-finished, strong 
article, at a reasonable price, I would refer them to the advertise¬ 
ment on the cover. 
I had almost forgotten to remark, that Mr. James Turner has 
suggested the propriety of covering the chain with some material 
sufficiently strong to hold the legs together, while the operator 
and assistants escape in case of accident from the breaking of a 
link, the crack of which would be the signal for retreat. Al¬ 
though you may cast a horse ninety-nine times without accident, 
the hundredth may prove serious, if not fatal, in its results. 
I have not tried any thing, but perhaps a covering of India 
rubber-webbing or leather would have the desired end.*^ 
