balling-iron

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.