LAMINITIS 



on the limb to which it is attached, though, of course, if he 

 is tired he is likely to rest all his feet in turn. As a rule, 

 if the cause of trouble is in the foot he points he will rest 

 his heel on the ground, whilst if it lies in the leg or shoulder 

 he will rest his toe. In a case of shoulder lameness the 

 fore-arm is extended, the knee bent, and the foot with the 

 toe on the ground almost behind its fellow. 



As a rule few horses walk lame unless they are the 

 victims of an accident, or theirs is a very bad case, and, 

 speaking generally, a slow trot on hard ground is the best 

 test of the infirmity. The way to proceed is to stand a 

 few yards in front of the horse and watch carefully as he 

 approaches and passes whether he nods his head or dwells 

 upon either of his fore-feet. If he does, it may be pretty 

 safely inferred that the leg which is not associated with 

 these actions is the one which is unsound ; while, if he is 

 lame behind, he will be likely to nod his head when the 

 infirm limb touches the ground. If he is lame or tender on 

 both fore-feet his front action will be very short on hard 

 ground, but it will improve on softer ground ; hence, if a doubt 

 exists he should be trotted on both. He should be watched 

 carefully from both sides, and also as he is turned quickly 

 first to the off and then to the near, so that it may be seen 

 if he uses both of his hocks in the same manner ; if he does 

 not, something wrong may be expected. (See Intermittent 

 Lametiess, Laininitis, Navicular Disease, Rheiwiatisni, Spavin, 

 Splints.) 



Laminitis, or Founder, is [a term applied to inflam- 

 mation of the feet, which may be the result of concussion, 

 want of exercising, overfeeding, bad shoeing, or various other 

 causes. The fore-feet are usually attacked, and as the evil 

 arises from severe inflammation which has attacked the 

 extremely delicate structures contained in the walls of the 

 hoof, the pain endured is very great. A horse affected by 

 laminitis or founder will often endeavour to throw the weight 

 of his body upon his heels, and in order to do so he will 



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