LAMENESS. 537 



In ninety per cent of all horses lame in front, especially in cities, the seat 

 of trouble is in the fore feet, and is caused either by a contraction of the 

 hoof or by corns, often by both, for the corn, which is really a bruise, is the 

 result of contraction. A simple but decisive test in deciding whether the 

 lameness is in the foot or in the shoulder is to lead the horse over some 

 obstruction sufficiently high to cause him to lift his feet well off the ground. 

 If he steps over it you may be certain the lameness is not in the shoulder ; 

 but if he cannot step above it, or if he stubs his toe against it, then examine 

 the shoulder. The reason is that the muscles of the shoulder are brought 

 into play when the foot is raised high from the ground. The suffering from 

 contracted feet is similar to that experienced by a person wearing a tight 

 shoe, while that from corns resembles the pain of a bruised finger nail. 



" The causes of these maladies are numerous, but the principal cause is 

 neglect. The foot cannot grow and spread naturally without abundance of 

 moisture. The wall being much stronger and of" a more rapid growth, its 

 tendency to cramp and confine the other parts of the foot is greatly increased 

 when their expansive powers have become impaired by lack of moisture. 



" Another frequent cause of contraction is the lack of work or exercise, 

 especially if the animal is hitched by the head in a narrow stall. All horses 

 should have box stalls, if possible, because the freedom of movement favors 

 expansion of the feet. 



" Another frequent cause of contraction and lameness in the fore feet is 

 neglect of shoeing. The shoes should be reset or new ones applied once 

 in every four or five weeks. Tight-fitting shoes and the paring of the sole 

 so thin that it is readily bruised are similar causes of lameness. 



" The hind feet are seldom lame, because contraction in them is very 

 rare indeed ; but should the horse show signs of lameness, examine the heels 

 for scratches, also the ankle, the shin and the hock, the stifle and the hip 

 joints. If at any time either a fore or hind foot should be examined for 

 lameness and found to be in a condition that precludes the possibility of it, 

 there is a strong probability that the horse is suffering from ' the scratches,' 

 as very often a slight attack will cause him to limp. 



" It should be a rule in all stables that the feet should be cleaned out and 

 washed every morning, and again at night, after the day's toil is over. This 

 should be strictly enforced, to the exclusion, if need be, of all other groom- 

 ing. Do not think from the above that the importance of thorough groom- 



