CASTING ANIMALS AND CHEMICAL RESTRAINT

CASTING ANIMALS AND CHEMICAL RESTRAINT

For restraining, casting of animals is considered an effective method.

CHOICE AND PREPARATION OF SITE FOR CASTING

The best place to choose is a grass field convenient to stable/yard for most of the farm animals. There should be plenty of room for men to assist. There should be no objects against which the animal may damage itself. If the animal has to undergo surgery or has wound (s) on its body then take care that there is no fifth or straw or litter to contaminate wound (s). There should be no stones or bricks on the site which should be reasonably level.

Extremes of weather, as far as possible should be avoided. Before the animal is cast it is well to arrange for assistance of adequate number of men. It is not advisable even with a docile animal before being cast. There is otherwise a risk of injury or even rupture of abdominal organs distended with food.

To minimize risk of injury, a plentiful bed of clean paddy straw damped with water or antiseptic solution is needed. Excessive straw is undesirable since it intends to get bunched up among animal’s feet and ropes do not run freely. For surgical operation better use a tarpaulin.

CASTING HORSES

The following methods are employed for the purpose:

i)                    The use of hobbles

ii)                  The use of side lines (single as well as double). The application of hobbles is mainly done in case of major operations such as castration; its detailed discussion is therefore, not in the perview of this manual.

Single side line

The use of cotton web is ideal for a good side line. A slipping knot is given at the pastern. The side line is then passed between the two fore-legs and the free end taken round the neck and brought up from over the off shoulder to the near side and a knot applied near the point of elbow, drawing the hind-leg a little bit forward.

Double side line

A slipping knot is given at the near hind pastern, the knot being on the outside. The side lines is then passed between the fore-legs and given a turn. The free end is then passed under the previous turn of the side line and passed over the shoulder onto the off side. The side line is then wound round the off fore-limb in a similar fashion as was done on the near side and then it is passed round the pastern and a knot applied on the outside. Both the hind-legs are slightly brought forward during the operation.

CASTING CATTLE/BUFFALOES

These animals are cast for a variety of reasons such as for surgical operations, trimming of feet and sometimes for better control at a difficult calving.

Procedure

A running noose is made at one end of a 10 meter long rope and passed around the base of horns. In case of polled animals, the noose can be placed round the neck. A half hitch is made round the neck, a second round the chest immediately behind elbows, and a third round the abdomen in front of udder or scrotum. The rope is pulled by two men and the animal will sink to the ground. The feet may then be secured to each other or to a fixed object. The first half hitch, i.e. round the neck may be dispensed with if a sufficiently long rope is not available. If the head is forced round well into the shoulder of the same side on which the ropes cross and all slacks tightened before the men on the rope pull it, the animal will certainly fall on the side opposite to that towards which its head is turned. When the animal sinks to the ground one or two men must keep the head and neck down while the legs are secured. When head is firmly held down, struggling will be less and there is less danger of breaking a horn and the animal cannot rise until the head is released.

EXERCISES

1.                  Why the use of ‘tarpaulin’ is preferred for an animal to be cast for a surgical operation?

2.                  Why a few hours fasting is considered necessary for animals prior to their being cast?

Chemical Restraint

Highly nervous and/or vicious large animals can be calmed before casting by administering tranquilizers such as largactil or other chlorpromazine compounds or depressants such as chloral hydrate or barbiturates. The drugs minimize struggling and make application of ropes and tools easier. The narcosis or subnarcosis attained should not be so great as to leave the animal weary for a long time. For buffalo and cattle, chloral hydrate is the most common drug used since it is cheap, efficient, and can be easily administered orally as a drench or in the form of electuary or in drinking water. The dose varies from 15 to 45g for buffalo/cattle and 2 to 4g for sheep, depending on the size of the animal. The animal should preferably be fasted for about 18 hours before administering the drug, which is done about one hour before the actual handling of the animal. Camels and elephants can also be chemically tranquilized.

                                        Restraining of forelimb in a standing camel 

                                       with a rope. a) both the forelimbs, b) one forelimb.

 Restraining a sitting camel with ropes around forelimbs and neck and hind limbs.

LIFTING UP OF FORE/HIND LIMB OF A HORSE

To pick up the near fore- leg of a horse one should stand in front of the near shoulder facing the tail. First speak to the animal then run the left hand down the neck, withers and elbow to midway between the knee and fetlock. A horse accustomed to being handled will generally lift up his leg when told to do so, but should he refuse, lean against his near shoulder to shift his balance on to the off fore-leg. If he still refuses, grasp firmly round the pastern, screw the hand round slightly to make the skin move over the bones and tendons, and if the horse still does not lift the leg, jerk your left elbow against the back of his knee and lift the foot up forcibly. To pick up off fore-leg stand on the off side and reverse the hands. When the foot is raised, hold the toe with the back of hand towards horses tail and fingers pointing to the front. Stand upright and keep the horse’s knee well fixed. Do not keep the leg lifted up for unduly long time.

To pick up the left hind -leg stand in front of the left flank, keep the left arm almost straight and run the hand down the back, quarters, buttock and hock to halfway down the left hind cannon. Draw the leg up and forward, i.e., towards horse’s head. Seize the front of the hoof with the right hand and with the left hand grasp the Achilles tendon tightly. While doing this take a short step forward, i.e., bring the whole leg slightly back and rest the hoof on the left thigh. On lowering the leg, retain the grasp on the Achilles tendon till the foot is near the ground; this lessens the horse’s ability to kick.

EXERCISES

1.                  Which way to face while picking up the off fore-leg of a horse?

2.                  Name the tendon that has to be grasped tightly during picking up the right hind-leg of a horse.

CATCHING AND HANDLING OF SHEEP

If sheep are to be caught or handled for any reason, they should first be confined to a small shed. Sheep may best be caught around the neck, by the hind-leg or by the rear flank. They should never be caught by the wool. Such rough treatment results in badly injured skin and tissue underneath, which may require weeks to heal. As a result of such handling market sheep will exhibit a damaged carcass and the fleece will lack uniformity because of the disturbance in the injured area.

In handling sheep, the fingers should be kept together. In this way, the correct touch is obtained in the palm of the hand, and the wool is not disarranged. In observing the fleece and skin, the wool should be parted well down on the shoulder side and leg. Opening the fleece on the back should be avoided as it will allow water to run in.

Catching

i)                    Confine the animals in a small area.

ii)                  Move up quietly on the desired animal after working it into a position near you.

iii)                With a swift sure movement grasp well up into the right rear flank with the right hand.

iv)                Holding firmly with the right hand, quickly grasp under the lower jaw with the left hand.

Holding

i)                    With the left hand firmly grasp a fold of flesh under the lower jaw.

ii)                  Place the right hand securely over the dock; the right hand in this position can be useful in moving the animal.

iii)                As the animal quiets down the right hand may be removed.

EXERCISES

1.                  By which parts of body, sheep may be caught for their proper handling?

2.                  While holding sheep, why the right hand is placed over the dock?

LEADING ANIMALS

LEADING A BULL

As with all domesticated animals, a certain amount of training is necessary for young bulls. From an early age they should be taught to lead in hand and to walk freely and normally. This is particularly important if they are to be exhibited in shows or for sale.

They should be haltered as young as possible or provided with a small head-collar and led for a short time every few days. After about six or seven months age they should be exercised for about half an hour, gradually increasing to one hour or more every day. At about ten months to one year age, they will be rung. As the bull grows older and stronger, a rope and chain attached to a stout leather head-collar will be needed.

In teaching them to walk they should be made to walk energetically in a straight and balanced fashion and at first an extra man may be needed to keep them moving and prevent any hanging back. As they learn it should be possible to lead them without any pressure from chain this only being necessary to control them at intervals. Vicious animals may be led by two men holding the respective rope attached to the left/right ring of the stout head -collar. The men should make the animal walk somewhat ahead of them to avoid any risk of being hit by the bull.

  

After leading on quiet roads, cart paths, etc., is satisfactory, they should be accustomed to traffic on busier roads. The led animal must face the on-coming traffic which means that the bull is led on the right hand side of the road with the attendant walking on the bull’s left side.

LEADING A HORSE

A colt should be led with a rope longer than an ordinary halter shank but held close to the head, the surplus rope being coiled in the left hand, never wound round the wrist or arm. A webbing halter or a small head-collar is better than a rope halter.

To lead a horse, a halter, bridle or head-collar with shank is necessary. When horses, even though known to be quiet, are to be led for any distance upon a public thoroughfare, a bridle should always be used. The person leading should walk on the horse’s left, opposite its head, placing himself at about half-an-arm’s length from the head. The right hand should hold the reins close to the horse’s mouth, firmly but not roughly. The natural motion of the head when walking should not be hindered by a tight hold. The left hand holds the loose ends of the reins or rope, coiled but never wrapped round the hand.

For leading a stallion, an unjointed snaffle is used. A chain from the right-hand ring of snaffle through the left ring is attached to a short bar to keep him off the man who is leading him, and the other end of the bar is attached to a leading strap. Two reins run to the stallion-roller to keep his head up and a third rein or strap running to the roller on the right side lower down, stops him from turning his head too far in the direction of the leader.

EXERCISES

1.                  Why is it necessary to teach a bull to be led in hand at an early age?

2.                  What is the appropriate age for ringing a bull?

3.                  While leading a horse, why the surplus rope should not be wound round the wrist or arm of the man leading it?

4.                  Draw the diagrams of the Figures 5 (b) and 20 given in your note book.

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