8 March, 1907.] 



Sotiiidiiess in Horses. 



157 



Action. 



Straighten the fetlock by bringing the 

 foot forward with the lefi hand, as de- 

 scribed for the fore liinh. 



Bend the ])astern backwanls, and bv 

 lifting the limb upwards, put the fet- 

 lock and hock joints in a position of ex- 

 treme flexion. 



Push the limb back bv pressure of the 

 thigh to a position insuring extension of 

 the hock. 



Release the foot, and stej) to the rear 

 of the horse. Lift and examine the 

 tail, anus, and vulva. 



Stand square behind, facing forwards. 



Object. 



To detect im])cdiments to the full ex- 

 tension of the hind fetlock, and bv 

 tensing the back tendons to detect flinch- 

 ing due to s])rain. 



To detect [Jain or stiffness in the hock 

 from bone s|)avin, and in the fetlock 

 from anthritis. 



To detect ]iain from spavin and im- 

 jiediments to extension of the hock. 



To detect melanotic tumors, docking 

 wound, injury or imjjerfection of the 

 anus or vulva, or the jiresence of worm- 

 indicating scurf round the anus. 



To observe bi-lateral symmetry of the 

 croup, hips, quarters, stifles, thighs, 

 hocks, hind cannons and fetlocks. 



Proceed then to examine the ofi'-side in the same fashion, making the manual 

 examination with the op];osile hand; for example, in handling the front of the off 

 fore limb, the left hand is used instead of the right. 



Completing Examination. 



The manual examination having been completed, the examiner should 

 smartly turn the horse round both wavs and back him sharph-, when, often- 

 times "halting " of the hind liinbs, or " shiverincr," will be noticed. The 

 horse should then be placed alongside a wall or fence and tested for grunt- 

 ing or roaring. This is done by taking a firm short hold of the halter or 

 bridle with the left hand, facing towards the bodv of the horse, and making 

 a sudden feint tO' strike him. When cringing from the threatened blow a 

 roarer will emit a distinct grunt or groan. 



Special examination of the eyes and feet follows, to be carried out as 

 will be described when the diseases of the eyes and feet are being respec- 

 tively dealt with. 



Next, the hor.se's wind should be tested. For this purpose light horses 

 are given a smart gallop, ])referabl\' on heavy going up-hill, and the exa- 

 miner who rides ^he horse himself in this test gallop is at a distinct advan- 

 tage in detecting such laryngeal defects as roiaring and whistling and such 

 lung affections as "broken wind." Draucht horses are usually voked to a 

 load and subjected to a sharp up-hill pull, which quickly manifests any 

 abnormal respiratory distress. 



Finally, it is a safe plan to have the horse jog-trotted a second time 

 when he has rested for an hour or so after the gallop or wind test, for 

 then any undiscovered lameness or stiffness will be likely to lie made more 

 evident. 



