CHAPTER 11 Instruments Used in Equines
This chapter covers instruments used to restrain, treat, and care for horses.
INSTRUMENT
Halter
| FUNCTION | To provide a means of controlling the horse’s head while performing various procedures. |
| CHARACTERISTICS | A series of leather, nylon, or rope straps is designed to go over the nose and around the neck. The halter must be fitted to the horse so that the noseband is below the cheekbones but not lower than the end of the nasal bone. The neck strap, which is placed behind the ears, should be tight but not so constrictive that it chokes the horse. It is important to be sure that the center ring, where the lead rope is attached, is centered under the horse’s chin. |
INSTRUMENT
Chain Shank
| FUNCTION | To provide greater control over a horse by the application of mild pain. |
| CHARACTERISTICS | A flat chain is attached to a clip at one end and to a leather, nylon, or rope lead on the other. The clip end is brought through the side ring on the left side of the halter and over the nose and is clipped to the opposite side ring. A sharp tug on the lead makes the chain dig into the horse’s nose. It should be used carefully and with much thought. It can be also be used on halters for show cattle (as pictured). |
INSTRUMENT
Hobbles
| FUNCTION | To prevent a horse from wandering far away. |
| CHARACTERISTICS | Nylon or leather straps are buckled onto the front legs of the horse. They allow the horse to move but not very fast or very far. It is important to make sure that the legs are square to the body so that the horse does not fall over. Hobbles can also be used on cattle. |
INSTRUMENT
Twitch—Humane
| FUNCTION | To distract a horse’s attention from minor procedures by inflicting mild pain. |
| CHARACTERISTICS | Two aluminum shafts are hinged together; at the hinge is a bow that accommodates the upper lip of a horse. The upper lip is rolled and pulled through the bow; the handles are brought together and either held or clipped to the halter. The maximal time during which this instrument is effective is 20 to 30 minutes. |
INSTRUMENT
Twitch—Chain
| FUNCTION | To distract a horse’s attention from minor procedures by inflicting mild pain. |
| CHARACTERISTICS | A flat-chain loop is attached to a wooden handle. The upper lip is rolled and pulled through the loop, and the handle is twisted to tighten the chain around the lips. The handle can be rocked or loosened and tightened to add to the distraction. The maximal time during which this instrument is effective is 20 to 30 minutes. |
INSTRUMENT
Cribbing Strap
| FUNCTION | To prevent a horse from cribbing. Cribbing is when a horse sets its incisors on a fence rail and sucks in air. This is a vice that can affect the horse’s endurance. |
| CHARACTERISTICS | A series of straps is designed to fit around a horse’s neck and chin. A strap applies pressure to the larynx only when the horse attempts to crib. |
INSTRUMENT
Invalid Ring
| FUNCTION | To cushion a horse’s head during surgery. The ring can also be used to cushion the joints of the legs of horses, cattle, and large dogs. |
| CHARACTERISTICS | A red rubber, inner-tube–like ring that, when inflated, can be positioned so that the eye or joint is in the center of the hole and the rest of the head or leg is cushioned. |
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