100 THE ARMY HORSE. 



mercury 1 dram, cosmoline 5 drams. Repeat in ten days if 

 necessary. 



DETECTION OF LAMENESS. 



Severe lameness is readily recognized, even when the animal 

 is at rest. Distinct symptoms, such as pointing or frequent 

 raising of the affected limb, are noticed, the animal's instinct 

 leading him to place the affected part in a position to relieve 



the pain. 



In making an examination for lameness, the animal, having 

 free use of his head, should be led at a slow trot toward and 

 from the observer. Too short a hold on the halter shank will 

 prevent free play of all the muscles concerned in locomotion. 



If lame in one fore leg, the right one for instance, the head 

 will nod (drop) more or less when he steps on the left fore leg, 

 while the head jerks up at the moment the right leg (the lame 

 one) is placed upon the ground. Hence, the head of the lame 

 animal always nods when the sound leg is planted. 



Should there be lameness in both fore legs the action is stilty 

 (stiff); the natural, elastic stride is wanting; the steps are 

 shortened, and the feet kept close to the ground. Almost 

 invariably the hind legs are picked up higher than normally ; 

 the shoulders appear stiff and the head is carried rather high, 

 while the lumbar region is arched. 



Lameness behind is detected by trotting the horse from the 

 observer, the croup being the essential part to be watched, 

 since it drops with the sound leg and rises with the lame one. 



If lame in both hind legs, the stride is shortened and awk- 

 ward ; the fore legs are kept back of the vertical line, and are 

 apt to be raised higher than usual, while the head is lowered. 

 Backing is difficult ; it is almost impossible to keep the animal 

 at a trot when he is lame in more than one leg. 



Horses lame in both fore or both hind legs show a waddling 

 gait behind, often mistaken for lameness originating in the 

 lumbar region. This peculiar motion is simply due to the fact 

 that the hind legs are unduly advanced under the body for 

 their own relief or that of the front legs. Close attention is to 

 be paid to the animal's action as he turns while being trotted 

 to and from the observer, as at this moment — that is, while he 

 turns — any hitch becomes visible; as, for instance, spavin or 

 stringhalt lameness. 



Always place the lame leg in its natural position and inspect 

 the various parts of the leg both with the hand and eye, com- 



