Until recently, horse castration was performed using these pieces of wood. Specifically, the scrotum was opened and the testicle pulled so that the spermatic cord containing the vessels and vas deferens were made ​​visible. The wooden elastrator was then placed such that each pair crushed an entire spermatic cord. The testicle underwent necrosis, withered and was finally removed a week later. This mode of castration had the advantage of being very safe for the animal.