LAMEISTESS. 185 



observer. There is a peculiar action of young colts that must 

 not be mistaken for lameness. This is called ''bridle lameness." 

 The colt may appear lame in the near fore foot, if led with a 

 short rein and his head pulled to one side, or when he is first 

 bitted. If run in a slack rein it will disappear. If the lameness 

 be in the hind limb, the quarter of the same side will be ele- 

 vated, and that of the sound side thrown forward and downward 

 with a jerking motion. The head is tolerably steady if the pain 

 be light, but there will be a decided jerk of the head if the pain 

 be severe. There are some forms of lameness which are appa- 

 rent in the stable only, the movement of half a dozen steps being 

 sufficient to dispell the appearance of lameness. It is therefore 

 necessary to see the horse in the stable and out of it. A horse 

 lame from an inflammation of the bone, as in spavin, ringbone, 

 will warm out of it. In the early stages of such diseases, a walk 

 of a hundred yards is sufficient to remove the lameness. Many 

 low dealers will knock a horse around in the stall to remove 

 such lameness. There are some lamenesses' which are only mani- 

 fested after sharp work, and in such cases it is necessary to give 

 the horse half an hour's trot or gallop, tying him afterwards in 

 a stall until he becomes cool. It is only when suspicion exists 

 that this test need be applied. Lamenesses are manifested during 

 repose, as in many foot lamenesses. For example, a horse will 

 continually point, or even elevate, the foot which is suffering 

 pain; if in both feet, each foot alternately will be pointed or 

 elevated. If made to move, the extent of pain does not seem 

 equal to that expressed while standing still. Some horses ex- 

 hibit their lameness when they turn round. They may go sound 

 when led straight to and from the observer, l)ut when shaqoly 

 turned by the use of the whip they at once manifest their un- 

 soundness. Turn the animal both ways, as disease may not be 

 shown when the animal is turned one way only. There are 

 cases where lameness exists in two or more limbs, but not 

 equally; when such is the case, it rccpiires great care to distin- 



