balling-iron

plural balling-irons

1. biologyA piece of shaped metal that forces the mouth of an animal to stay open.

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

   1876, Edward Mayhew, Mayhew's Illustrated Horse Management, page 42

   3 more examples

   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 .

   1851, The Veterinarian: A Monthly Journal of Veterinary Science, page 635

   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.

   1858, James Slight, Robert Scott Burn, Henry Stephens, The Book of Farm Implements and Machines, page 532

   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 .

   1873, George Armatage, The horse, page 158