CASTRATION OP THE HORSE. 
615 
tion may be performed with almost equal safety at all ages 
during the full vigor of life. This, I am aware, is not in har¬ 
mony with the opinions of veterinarians in general, but careful 
observation and considerable experience has led me to this 
conclusion. 
There is also much diversity of opinion concerning the 
question as to what time of the year the operation should be 
performed, but a majority of operators favor the months of 
April and May. If the subject be in good health this is of 
minor importance. In fact, the weather is never too hot nor 
too cold to obtain good results if the animal be properly taken 
care of for a few days immediately following the operation. 
My experience would lead me to believe that if any time of 
the year is objectionable it is during the months of February, 
March and April, but that I think is due to the fact that at 
this particular season of the year the vitality of our animals is 
at its lowest ebb, owing to the inclement nature of our win¬ 
ters. 
All the older writers on the subject also attach considera¬ 
ble importance to a so-called process of preparing the animal 
for the operation. If a horse be in good health he is fit for 
the operation, and no process of depletion by purging and 
starving is necessary. If he must be “thrown,” it is then 
best, for obvious reasons, that he be deprived of food and 
water for a few hours preceding the operation, but if the-bet¬ 
ter method of performing the operation, with the animal upon 
his feet, is pursued, not even that is necessary^. Emasculation 
of the horse is so universally practised in this country that the 
method of operating which requires the least possible amount 
of work on the part of the operator and owner, if it be in strict 
accord with scientific surgery, is the highest desideratum. 
Keeping this end in view the first step is to confine the animal 
in such a manner that the operation may be properly per¬ 
formed with safety to all concerned. Some difference of 
opinion exists as to the best method of securing this end. 
VVhthout entering into a discussion of the various methods of 
throwing and securing horses for this operation, we may state 
that a large number of operators perform the operation with 
