To Diagnose Lameness 91 



should be removed, the nails examined for signs of 

 blood or pus, and the bottom of the foot cleaned and 

 examined for punctures or bruises. 



In manipulating to detect soreness, one must not be 

 misled by the animal's flinching when the muscles of 

 the shoulder are firmly pressed. Horses are likely to 

 flinch from pressure here. In feeling for soreness or 

 heat in a part, it is always well to study and compare 

 the corresponding leg. In examining the foot, a small 

 hammer is excellent with which to tap the different 

 parts of the hoof to induce flinching. To determine 

 heat in a part, aside from the touch, the corresponding 

 parts of each leg are wet and note is made of the one 

 drying first. In cases of suspected foot lameness, 

 the animal may be driven, the degree of lameness 

 noted, and a five per cent solution of cocaine may then 

 be injected with a hypodermic syringe over the nerves 

 on either side of the tendon, in the hollow just above 

 and back of the foot. If the lameness is in the lower 

 and back part of the foot, it will be stopped or greatly 

 lessened temporarily. 



SWEENEY, SHOULDER LAMENESS 



While shoulder lameness is rare, one form that is 

 met with, particularly in young horses, is called Sweeney. 

 It is a rapid wasting away of certain muscles on the 

 outside of the shoulder-blade. 



Sweeney is caused by severe pulling, especially in 

 young horses when first put at hard work, such ag 

 plowing. The blood vessels or nerves of the affected 



