If the foot is a hind one, one of the many methods of using what is termed by Liautard, in his ‘Manual of Operative Veterinary Surgery,’ the plate-longe, must be adopted.  This, in its most useful form, is a length of closely-woven cotton webbing, from about 2 to 2-1/2 inches wide, and from 5 to 6 yards long, provided with a small loop formed on one of its ends, and perhaps better known to English readers as a ‘side-line.’  If webbing be not available, a length of soft cotton rope, or a rope plaited and sold for the purpose, as Fig. 39, will serve equally well.  One of the most convenient methods of using the side-line for securing the hind-foot is depicted in Figs. 40 and 41.

[Illustration:  FIG. 40.—­THE SIDE-LINE ADJUSTED PREPARATORY TO SECURING THE NEAR HIND-FOOT.]

[Illustration:  FIG. 41.—­THE NEAR HIND-FOOT SECURED WITH THE SIDE-LINE.]

Here the side-line has formed upon it a loop sufficiently large to form a collar.  This is placed round the animal’s neck, the free end of the line run round the pastern of the desired foot, and the foot drawn forward, as in Fig. 40.

The loose end of the line is then twisted once or twice round the tight portion, and finally given to an assistant to hold (see Fig. 41).  The foot is thus held from the ground, and violent kicking movements prevented.

Where the operation is a major one, restraint of a distinctly more forcible nature becomes imperative.  Many of the more serious operations can most advantageously be performed with the patient secured in some form or other of stock or trevis, and the foot suitably fixed.  It is not the good fortune of every veterinary surgeon, however, to be the lucky possessor of one of these useful aids to successful operating.  Perforce, he must fall back on casting with the hobbles (Fig. 42).

[Illustration:  FIG. 42.—­CASTING HOBBLES.]

With the use of these we will assume our readers to be conversant, and will imagine the animal to be already cast.  It remains, then, but to detail the most suitable means for firmly fixing the foot to be operated on.

Here the side-line is again brought into use.  Care should previously have been taken when casting to throw the animal so that the portion of the foot to be operated on, whether inside or outside, falls uppermost, and that the buckle of the hobble on that particular foot is placed so that it also is within easy reach when the animal is down.

In the case we are illustrating the point of operation was the outside of the near hind coronet.  We will, therefore, describe the mode of fixing the near hind-foot upon the cannon of the near fore-limb.

[Illustration:  FIG. 43.—­PHOTOGRAPH ILLUSTRATING METHOD OF ADJUSTING THE SIDE-LINE PREPARATORY TO FIXING THE HIND-LEG UPON THE FORE.]