Page 178 - Zoo Animal Learning and Training

162 Tasks for the Veterinary Assistant

FIGURE 9.28 Bowline on a bight first steps.

FIGURE 9.31 Bowline on a bight final step.

FIGURE 9.29 Bowline on a bight second step.
Overhand Knot
The overhand knot, can be used to make a loop leash
that can be safely used around the neck as a leash or
around a limb to secure it to a table.
1. Make a bight on one end of the rope. Make it as
close to the end as possible (Figure 9.32).
2. Grasp the bight at the bend and fold both strands
into a loop. Continue to move the bight through the
loop and tighten by pulling up on the bight and
down on the ends (Figure 9.33).
3. The result is a single strand loop secured by two
FIGURE 9.30 Bowline on a bight third step.
strands of the knot. To make a leash, bring the long
end through the loop. This creates a leash that will not
3. Switch your hold to the two strands coming from
each side of the knot, as indicated by the blue arrows stay tight when pressure is released. To make a handle,
and pull in opposite directions to tighten the knot tie another over hand knot on the opposite end, only
(Figure 9.30). make it big enough to fit your hand (Figure 9.34).
4. Note the bight indicated by the green arrow. This is Never use a slip knot to make a leash. If the resulting
what you would grab to loosen this knot. If you loop is made with the long end it may get placed around
don’t see this you made the knot wrong or you a neck or limb and it will tighten down and stay tight
didn’t pull the two strands indicated by the blue even after the ends are released.
arrows in the right direction, as indicated also by the
blue arrows (Figure 9.31). Hitches

The resulting non‐slipping noose can be placed over
the patient’s head. You can use the two long ends to anchor Hitches are used in the veterinary practice for a number
the back legs to the neck to prevent kicking or to pull the of reasons. The half hitch is used to secure a rope to a
legs in a certain direction to get them out of the way. leg, post, or cleat. Cleats are typically found on the sides
When tying the legs, use two half hitches around the of surgery and X‐ray tables, cattle chutes, and horse
leg followed by a halter tie to secure the rope. stocks. Remember that hitches stay secure because the