216 A HUNTING CATECHISM 



again into its normal state, observing it keenly 

 all the time. 



Horses often rest their legs when standing, but 

 if they advance a fore-leg they almost always have 

 the opposite hind-leg advanced also if they are 

 sound, and no notice need be taken of this. If a 

 fore-leg only is pointed forward, however, it is 

 generally a sign of trouble somewhere, probably 

 in the foot, and a careful examination should 

 be made. A hind-leg is often alone flexed when 

 the horse is only resting, and in all probability 

 it will shortly shift its weight on to that leg 

 and rest the other. 



When the tendons are strained the horse flexes 

 the leg, and there is no difficulty in diagnosing 

 this case, for the heat, swelling, and tenderness 

 shown on pressure being applied, indicate at once 

 where the mischief lies. In navicular the leg is 

 also flexed, but usually only the fetlock, the 

 knee-joint being straightened, while the weight 

 is borne by the toe, the heel being slightly raised 

 ofiE the ground. A further test may be applied 

 by bending the foot up as much as possible, 

 and applying pressure to the heel with the 

 thumb. 



Navicular lameness may be distinguished from 

 rheumatism in the shoulder when the horse is in 

 action, for with rheumatism he only gets worse 

 the longer he is out ; while with navicular he 

 gets better as he gets warm, until he may appear 

 quite sound. With rheumatism he usually walks 

 lame, but with navicular he may walk sound, and 

 trot lame. The muscles of the shoulder fre- 

 quently waste with rheumatism, and this is best 

 detected when standing in front and facing the 

 horse. 



