EXAMINING A HORSE FOR SOUNDNESS 343 



If unsound in front, the moment the horse trots it will 

 show lameness on the side that the hind-leg covered the 

 fore-foot print by the greater distance — the strides of the two 

 hind-legs being equal, while those of the fore-legs are 

 unequal. The contrary is the case of lameness behind, for 

 then the strides of the two fore-legs are equal, while the 

 strides of the hind-legs are unequal. In this case the sound 

 hind-leg covers the corresponding fore-leg to a greater 

 extent than the lame one does, as there is a deficiency of 

 power to bring the lame leg forward. 



In cases of lameness in front the head drops as the knee 

 of the lame leg is bent in the act of bringing it forward, 

 and it rises again as the foot is placed on the ground. This 

 is more plainly seen when the horse is trotted past the 

 examiner. If the action is so slightly affected that there is 

 some doubt as to actual lameness existing, if the horse 

 is trotted downhill the matter should be quickly set at rest. 

 In the case of hind-lameness, it will be better shown when 

 the animal is trotted uphill. Care must be taken that the 

 attendant does not hold the horse tight by the head, or 

 give a jerk to the bridle, either of which will prevent a 

 horse for the moment from appearing to be lame. 



If a horse goes sound in soft ground, but lame on hard 

 ground, it is generally suffering either from foot-lameness, 

 or is developing a splint. In the case of sprains, or 

 rheumatism, the animal goes worse, if anything, on soft 

 ground. In foot-lameness the horse generally stands in the 

 stable with his foot stretched out in front (except with 

 navicular), and the heat in the foot and round the coronet 

 is notably increased. With navicular the foot is colder than 

 the others, and when at rest the horse draws back the 

 affected leg, resting it upon the toe, and placing very little 

 weight upon it. 



To detect whether a horse is lame behind, place yourself 

 behind the horse when trotting from you, up an incline 

 if possible, and note whether the two hocks are raised to 

 exactly the same height. If the horse is lame in the hock, 

 or below it, the hip on that side is usually carried higher 

 than the sound one, and the hock also is raised above the 



