194 Diseases of the Horse, 



will make the other equally so, by paring it, so that the 

 action of the two limbs correspond; they will check up his 

 head, with a tight rein, to prevent the peculiar "nodding'' 

 motion, or dipping of the head, characteristic of a horse 

 lame in a front foot; or they will select a gait to show 

 him off which conceals his unsoundness. Again, some 

 varieties of lameness are visible in the gait only when a 

 horse begins to exercise; while other varieties only show 

 themselves after half an hour's use. Of this, of course, 

 the dishonest dealer will take advantage. 



A proper examination is as follows : — * 



As soon as the animal is taken from the stable, let an as- 

 sistant run with him at a slow trot, holding his head at only 

 a moderate height. It is necessary to watch him trotting 

 both /rom and toward the observer, for a horse lame In the 

 off fore leg when trotted /rom the observer seems to have the 

 fault in the near hind leg, as this quarter is the one seen to 

 ascend and descend — an error which is corrected on seeing 

 him approach. Another important point is to have the ani- 

 mal turned sharply in both directions while on the trot. The 

 lameness from string halt (p. 91) can often only be detected 

 by this motion. 



When both front or both hind feet are lame, there is no 

 perceptible limp, but a peculiar shortness of action. Each 

 foot Is carefully put to the ground and quickly lifted up 

 again. A horse lame In the fore quarter nods or dips his 

 head at every step ; one lame in the hind quarter drops or 

 jerks the croup. 



Having examined the horse In a slow trot, if nothing is 

 discernible, but yet it Is desired to push the inspection further, 

 the horse should be exercised at a rapid trot or moderate 

 gallop for half an hour, then placed In a stall to cool off, for 

 twenty minutes, and then brought out again. He will then 

 assuredly show In his gait any splint or hock trouble that 

 he may have. 



