DEFECTS IN THE GAITS. 585 



2d. Strain of the Loins. — Strain of the loins, a symptom 

 of diverse diseases of the dorso-lumbar region, most frequently a strain 

 of the vertebral column, is manifested by a want of rigidity of the 

 spine, a defect of harmony between the movements of the anterior and 

 posterior quarters, as well as lateral swinging and great weakness of 

 the latter. 



Saddle- and shaft-horses are most predisposed to it ; at other times, 

 the aifection is a simple accident and has no relation with the work 

 performed. 



The animal aifected with this alteration has no firmness in his pos- 

 terior members, which maintain him in equilibrium with difficulty. It 

 suffices to push against the haunches or pull on the tail to make him 

 totter from side to side. He lies down, rises, and backs with great 

 difficulty, and is incapable of carrying the least weight on his back. 

 During locomotion he oscillates alternately from one side to the other. 

 The plane of movement of the posterior members is not parallel to 

 the axis of the body ; the members are moved inward, outward, and 

 knock against each other awkwardly ; their contact is not firm, and 

 their hoofs pivot upon themselves so as to make the toes converging ; 

 finally, their imprints are marked without symmetry, and their gait 

 has lost its normal rhythm. All these facts are more exaggerated in 

 turning and in trotting ; falling upon the side is quite frequent. 



It is evident that the horse in this state cannot render good service ; 

 when the symptoms are very severe, it is even impossible to employ 

 him at any kind of work. Nevertheless, there are some inattentive 

 buyers, notably contractors, who buy the horse under such conditions. 

 He is presented for sale in the shafts of the cart, where he is more 

 supported, and is constantly more or less excited by the applica- 

 tion of the dealer's whip. They perceive the irregularities in the 

 movement the following day, but it is too late, the defect not being 

 redhibitory. 



Strain of the loins, known also under the names winding of the loins, 

 dorso-lumbar strain, is always grave, and results most frequently from 

 a fall or from carrying too heavy a weight on the back. There is little 

 encouragement for the cure of the animal, which has now lost the greater 

 part of his value. At present he is abandoned to the slaughter-house 

 or to the knacker to save the expense of treatment, in most instances 

 ineffectual, which, from its duration, may exceed his intrinsic value.* 



1 For more details, see Arm. Goubaux, De I'entorse dorso-lombaire consid6r6e chez le cheval, 

 in Recueil de mMecine v4t6rinaire, ann^e 1851, pp. 414 et 498. 

 H. Bouley, Nouveau Dictionnaire, etc., t. v. p. 362. 



