Halters: Halters are one of the simplest controlling devices for horses, cattle and buffalo. To make a halter, lay about 3 m of rope on the floor. At about 1 , from the left hand end, untwist the strands sufficiently to enable the right hand end to be passed through it to make a loop of about 2.5 cm in diameter. Lay the rope down as before. Close to the loop, untwist some strands again on the right hand side, and pass the left end through it. Pull up tight and bind the splice thus made with a few turns of string. To form a poll-piece, untwist the strands of the right hand length, about 25 cm from the loof already made, and pass the left hand end through it.
Make an overhand knot to fix. Bind on either side with string. Now pass the long right hand end through the spliced loop first made. This forms the nose-band. The halter is now complete. The knot in the poll-piece can be adjusted to fit the head of different animals.
To halter a horse, first slip the rope or shank of the halter around its neck by holding the forelock or resting the right hand on the neck just behind the ears. Then slip it over the horse's ears. The halter should be prevented from becoming too tight by putting a hitch or cinch in the shank as it leaves the nose-band. Placing the halter on the animals correctly should be practised until it becomes second nature. An incorrectly placed halter may be too loose to hold the horse, or may irritate it to the point where it becomes unmanageable.
Head Collars: Effective devices for controlling animals, head collars are used mostly with horses, but may also be used with cattle and buffalo. The head collar consists of a poll-piece, two cheek pieces, a nose band, a throat-piece, and a jowl-piece. Today, nylon head collars are increasingly being used because they are cheap, easy to clean, and durable.
A head collar is a very effective means for securing a horse in a stable or stall. A neck strap or neck rope is often used in the stable, but whether it is a halter or a neck tie, the shank in each case is put through a ring or hole in the manger, with the end attached to a metal or wooden "sinker" to prevent the horse from putting his foot on the head rope, yet allowing the maximum length of movement.
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| Fig 1 (Click to enlarge) - Courtesy: ryancoaxum.com |
Horses may be tied to the rings that are often found in stalls or on the heel post. When tying a horse in a stable, it is best to use a knot that can be released quickly. A method of tying such knot is shown in Fig 1. The knot is made by doubling the head rope or the shank of the halter with one short end. This doubled piece of rope is put under the ring, and then another loop in the long end nearest the horse is inserted through the double end. The short end is pulled tight. A second loop is made in the short end, and this is put through the firsst loop and tightened by a pull on the long end. A quick tug on the short end releases the horse.
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| Twitches - Courtesy: fao.org |
Twitches: A twitch is a tightening device used to restrain an animal. The different types of twitches are the stick twitch, halter twitch, loop twitch, and leg twitch. Twitches should be applied immediately before the necessary restraint is used. Since the device inflicts pain, repeated use should be avoided.
a. Stick Twitches:The stick twitch consists of a piece of stout wood about 1 m long with a 1.5 cm hole about three cm from the end. A piece of rope is inserted through this hole. While applying a twitch, the animal should be haltered and backed into a corner of the stable yard. Take the twitch stick under the right arm and stand on the near side opposite the left shoulder. Put the thumb and last three fingers of left hand trough the loop of the twitch, but leave the index finger out to prevent the loop slipping over wrist. Take the animal in confidence and get a good hold of the upper lip, leaving the nostrils free. With the right hand, rapidly twist up the stick. Take as tight a hold as necessary, but do not be unduly severe. The twitch helps restrain the animal by causing a harmless pressure upon a sensitive area of the upper lip. It also diverts the animal's attention from the part being manipulated and affords a strong hold upon the head of animal. If it is not possible t apply a twitch on the upper lip, then the lower lip or an ear may be used.
b. Loop Twitches: The loop twitch consists of a pliable rope with a running noose on one end. The noose is passed over the poll, into the mouth, and pulled tight. It should be used very carefully since it is liable to cut the commissures of the lips.
c. Leg Twitches: The leg twitch is an ordinary tourniquet applied about 10 cm above the knee or hock to immobilize the leg.
Continue... (Read about more restraining devices as gags, bull rings, muzzles, cradles, crushes and ropes in next post)
