DETECTION OF LAMENESS DUEING MOVEMENT. 231 



instance, while the person who is examining him should note 

 the manner in which he turns on his off hind-leg, so as to be 

 able to compare it with the way he goes to the left-about the 

 next time he turns. In this second trot past, the observer 

 should try to detect if there be any difference in the action of 

 the horse as viewed from the off side, from that which it pre- 

 sented when regarded from the near. If, after two or three 

 trots past, there be still any doubt remaining, perhaps the best 

 way to solve it is to mount the animal and trot him, alternately 

 slowly and rapidly, for a short distance on hard ground, and 

 give him a few moderately sharp turns. 



If we suspect the existence of spavin, we may take up the 

 foot and bend the hock, retaining it in that position for a 

 couple of minutes ; if after that the animal trots quite sound, 

 we may consider the joint to be all right. 



In obscure cases of lameness of one leg, we may suspect 

 bone disease such as incipient ring-bone as the cause, if the 

 horse stands level in his stall, but trots very lame on hard 

 ground. 



Before putting the horse in, we should try if he backs with 

 freedom and regularity of gait. 



If no lameness be noticed, we may send him back to his 

 stable, and, as a final test, may allow him to stand for a few 

 hours, and then, when he has thoroughly cooled down, try him 

 again. If he passes satisfactorily through the second ordeal, 

 we may, as a rule, regard him to be sound in limb. 



Certain obscure cases of lameness can be detected only 

 during the first few steps the animal takes on quitting his 

 stable, for he may subsequently " work sound." Such cases of 

 lameness are usually caused by insidious and serious disease at 

 its early commencement. They are quite beyond the skill 

 possessed by the ordinary amateur. 



Lameness at its first commencement, in the cross-country 

 horse, is often evinced by want of customary freedom and 



