There are, besides the hobbles, two other inventions designed to limit the capability of resistance. One is the side line. A soft collar is put over the horse's head and a hobble is fastened to the foot it is desired to have elevated. From the collar is dependant a metal loop, ring, or other contrivance. By the side of this a strong rope is attached. The cord is then passed through the D of the hobble; afterward it is brought back and ran through the side ring or loop. A man then takes hold of the end of the rope, and, by gradual traction, causes the leg to be advanced. It is neither wise nor humane to drag the foot off the ground. A horse which will stand quiet with both feet resting on the earth, is rendered restless when one leg is fastened in the air.
THE SIDE LINE.
The occasion which makes it imperative to apply the side line is, when the hocks or hinder parts are examined. Many unbroken horses, though quiet in other respects, will not allow these portions of the body to be touched. By causing one leg to be advanced, the other is deprived of all power as a weapon of offense. The horse would obviously fall, if he were to project the only free hind member; and the timidity of the creature indisposes it to incur so vast an indignity.
The other invention is the double side line. A rope is fixed to a loop on either side. The loop or ring is attached to a soft collar. The rope is afterward threaded through a hobble on each pastern. Both legs are then gently pulled forward, and the animal, having its posterior supports drawn from under it, comes to the earth. The ropes are held tight while the horse is turned upon its back. The instant it is in that position, somebody seats himself upon the head, while the body of the animal is propped up by numerous trusses of straw.
THE DOUBLE SIDE LINE.
This last is but an imperfect method of casting. In general it is rendered still more cruel by the abuse to which it is subject. The ropes are commonly pulled with an utter disregard to the living body upon which they operate. The hind legs are often drawn to the shoulders, and frequently additional cords are employed to make the poor creatures more distorted and more fixed. Has man any cause to wonder at a horse being occasionally what is called "vicious," when the unreasoning creature is thus fearfully operated upon? Is it not rather a proof of the horse's intelligence that it can recognize the cause of its suffering, and study ever after to repel its tormentor?
Let the horse be thrown down after the admirable method introduced by Mr. Rarey. Let it then be hobbled, and never, during the operation, hear any sound but soothing accents. Animals do not understand words, but they are quick readers of characteristics. The language itself these creatures may not be able to literally interpret; but they comprehend all which the manner conveys. When kindness is expressed, the meaning is felt, though the verbiage be lost: it is astonishing how animals will enter into the intention of speech! How home kind language seems to go to the ignorant heart, and how true it is that a gentle word is never thrown away! It is surprising to observe the affection by which the human race is surrounded; they live and walk among animals eager for permission to adore them, anxious to love and to serve them; but it is lamentable to see how an evil spirit repels the feeling which pervades all nature.
There is another point upon which the writer presumes to offer advice. Veterinary surgeons display ignorance in nothing more than in being servile copyists. They do not view their sphere of science as a separate and distinct branch. They always will strive to follow the example of human practitioners even to particulars. There is no difference in the dissecting knives used at the King's College and the Royal Veterinary establishment, though bodies of different bulks are studied in each school. The operating knives of most veterinary surgeons are ridiculously small for such purposes. The consequence is, the animal is much longer down than is absolutely necessary. The author has known one hour employed in dressing a quittor; whereas six sinuses ought to be laid open and dressed in less than five minutes. A vast deal of time is thus wasted; although the opposition to Mr. Rarey's method of throwing will, doubtless, be the length of time it would occupy. However, granting the objection; which is the surgeon bound to consider—the welfare of his patient or his own convenience? It is not every day that the gentleman who enjoys the largest practice has to cast a horse. It is, in fact, a somewhat rare and an exceptional occurrence. Could not the most engaged man devote an occasional half hour to the benefit of his profession?