What Lameness Is 89 



same treatment is good for draft horses, when the 

 feet have been injured on pavements. It will in most 

 cases give relief and often effect permanent recovery. 



DIAGNOSING LAMENESS 



Lameness is a defect in the natural gait of an 

 animal. In some cases there is a normal "hitch" in 

 the gait. Such a peculiarity is not easily distinguished 

 from true lameness, especially when the horse is pushed 

 to the limit of his speed in trotting. It is an idio- 

 sincrasy and does not need treating. 



Lameness may be due to some deformity which, 

 though it causes a noticeable limp, may occasion the 

 animal no pain and but little inconvenience in travel- 

 ing. Most cases of lameness, however, are due to some- 

 disease or injury that not only interferes with the 

 locomotion, but causes the animal suffering. 



Lameness is at times difficult to locate; therefore it 

 is not easy to give directions for distinguishing the 

 various lamenesses of animals. Experts often seem to 

 diagnose cases of lameness intuitivelj', and are some- 

 times unable to tell why the disease is located in a 

 certain spot. Close and careful observation of the form 

 and movements of the legs, both in health and in dis- 

 ease, are essential to accuracy in diagnosis. 



Most cases of lameness in horses occur in the front 

 legs. These bear one -third more weight than the 

 hind legs, and in ordinary traveling they are lifted 

 higher and brought down with greater force; hence, 

 their liability to injury is increased. 



