DETECTION OF LAMENESS DURING MOVEMENT. 229 



Laminitis is often manifested by the horse frequently 

 shifting his feet when standing. 



The pointing of elbow lameness is characteristic, the fore- 

 arm being extended, the knee in a state of flexion, and the 

 foot perhaps on a level with, or posterior to, its fellow. In 

 severe shoulder lameness, the pointing if it can be called 

 such is backwards, the limbs relaxed, knee bent, and the 

 foot posterior to its fellow ; sometimes the toe only touches 

 the ground, and the whole limb is semi-pendulous, consequent 

 upon the inability of the muscles to elevate and bring it for- 

 ward without pain. 



In laminitis, when the disease is in the fore-feet, the horse 

 advances them so as to relieve the toes of pressure ; when in 

 the hind-feet, he draws back his fore-feet, and advances his 

 hind-feet with the same object. 



Animals affected with navicular disease often acquire the 

 habit of lying down a great deal in their stalls. Cases of 

 slight lameness behind, such as those of spavin and stringhalt, 

 are often best seen when the horse is pushed over from one 

 side to the other, or when turned round in his stall. We may 

 then observe that the horse shifts the weight on one hind-leg 

 quicker than he does on the other, which we may regard as 

 the unsound limb. 



DETECTION OP LAMENESS DURING MOVEMENT. 



Lameness must be very acute for the horse to show it in 

 the walk. As a rule, the slow trot is the best pace at which 

 to observe lameness. The animal should be led in a halter or 

 a snaffle bridle, with plenty of rein, so that the man who leads 

 him may not interfere with the movements of his head. As 

 soon as possible after leaving the stable, the horse should be 

 trotted for inspection on hard ground, which should be free 

 from stone and inequalities. The observer may stand about 

 twenty yards in front of the horse, and on the near side. He 



