90 The Care of Animals 



There is a popular belief among horse owners that 

 shoulder lameness is very common, but this is an 

 error. Shoulder lameness is extremely rare. Nearly 

 all lamenesses of the fore leg occur below the knee, 

 and most of these are in the foot. In the hind leg 

 most cases of lameness occur in the hock joint, or below 

 it. Hip -joint lameness is very rare. 



In locating lameness it is best to examine the animal 

 while he is moving, preferably on a hard road at a trot, 

 and without check, harness or blanket. The person 

 leading the horse should give him as much freedom of 

 the head as is possible. The horse should be seen 

 passing by, coming toward, and going from, the ob- 

 server. He should also be turned in short circles to 

 the right, then to the left, in order to bring the weight 

 on the right and the left legs alternately. 



When the lameness is in one leg, the horse will 

 usually drop on the corresponding well leg as soon as 

 possible, with a movement that is easily recognized. In 

 standing, the weight is taken off the lame leg, and this 

 leg is placed in a position that will give the most relief. 

 When the lameness is in both front legs, the animal 

 moves with a peculiar stiff or stilted motion, and when 

 standing shifts the weight uneasily from one leg to the 

 other. Aside from the symptoms of lameness that 

 are shown when the animal is in motion, a thorough 

 examination of the affected limb should be made by 

 manipulating and feeling of it for signs of soreness, in- 

 flammation, bunches, depressions or swellings. An 

 amateur should always make a careful examination of 

 the foot, as most lamenesses are located here. The shoe 



