balling-iron

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English

Etymology

Named for its original use in forcing open the mouth of an animal for balling.

Noun

balling-iron (plural balling-irons)

  1. (veterinary medicine) A piece of shaped metal that forces the mouth of an animal to stay open.
    • 1851, The Veterinarian: A Monthly Journal of Veterinary Science, page 635:
      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 .
    • 1858, James Slight, Robert Scott Burn, Henry Stephens, The Book of Farm Implements and Machines, page 532:
      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.
    • 1873, George Armatage, The horse, page 158:
      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 .
    • 1876, Edward Mayhew, Mayhew's Illustrated Horse Management, page 42:
      The man using a balling-iron has, therefore, to guard himself from blows rapidly dealt with the fore hoofs of a desperate animal.
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