ELEMENTS OF HIPPOLOGY. 211 



If he rests the foot on the heel, it is to relieve pressure at the toe, 

 or the laminae, and the inference is that he is foundered, or, 

 more rarely, that the extensor tendons are pressing on a bony 

 tumor, and he has ringbone. 



Frequently a horse stands level in the stall and goes lame 

 in front on hard ground. This is never the case in diseases of 

 the soft tissues, but is caused by incipient bone disease. 



If a horse is lame behind and the location of the dis- 

 ease is not apparent, the services of a skilled veterinarian 

 should be called in. It is difficult enough to properly 

 diagnose lameness in front; he is skilled indeed who can 

 do so behind. 



The general rule, that obscure lameness behind is in 

 the hock, and in front in the foot, or in the ligaments and 

 tendons, is a safe one for the amateur to follow. 



Many horses, through lack of symmetry, have peculiar 

 faults of action not properly called lameness, though resembling 

 it. They can be usually corrected by proper shoeing or by the 

 use of boots or straps. 



