Balling-iron

After a due examination of the mouth has been made, and we have selected the tooth to be operated upon, the animal should be restrained by means of a twitch, and a balling-iron ought then to be placed in the mouth . The common open balling-iron will answer the purpose, but the one I would recommend you to use is that invented by Mr. Varnell .

It is necessary at times to give a medicinal ball to a horse, and as few grooms are expert at administering a ball without assistance, a balling-iron affords them that assistance.

Every groom should know how to give a ball, which is managed either with or without a balling-iron, an instrument which is seldom wanted , and which sometimes occasions considerable mischief to the roof of the horse's mouth .

The man using a balling-iron has, therefore, to guard himself from blows rapidly dealt with the fore hoofs of a desperate animal.