DEFECTS IN THE GAITS. 589 



This irregularity should always be considered as the symptom of a 

 local or a general disease. The diseased member, in such cases, makes 

 a less strong beat, and its contact is less prolonged than that of the 

 sound member ; its step, besides, is longer. It is then said that the 

 horse is lame, that the horse limps ; he is called sound, on the contrary, 

 when the gait is normal. 



Lameness, on account of its frequency and its variable gravity r may 

 temporarily prevent the animal from working or diminish his services 

 for an indefinite period and even permanently. We will limit ourselves 

 in this study, and will only examine here the interesting points relative 

 to the exterior. 



Its degree of intensity is indicated by diverse symptoms : the horse 

 is called sore when the irregularity in his gait is very slight ; he limps 

 when it is quite apparent ; he hobbles on all-fours when he hardly leans 

 at all on the diseased member ; finally, he hobbles on three members 

 when this member supports no weight at all. 1 



A lameness may affect one, two, three, and even the four members, 

 but the last cases are rare, the services of a veterinarian being called 

 in before this stage has been reached. 



H. Bouley correctly states that the diagnosis of a lameness is a 

 triple problem, which resolves itself thus : Recognition, 1st, of the 

 affected member ; 2d, the seat of the lameness ; 3d, finally, the nature 

 of the latter. 



The first point alone interests us in relation to the exterior ; the 

 others, involving a special profound knowledge of diseases, belong to 

 other treatises. 



Recognition of the Lame Member. To arrive at this result 

 necessitates an examination of the subject at rest, in the walk, and in 

 the trot. In each instance he must be led by the hand with a strap, 

 or be mounted. 



a. At rest, we notice if the position of the members is regular or 

 irregular. Sometimes the diseased member is carried in advance of its 

 vertical axis, which is expressed by saying that the horse points ; some- 

 times it is placed under the centre of gravity, or, again, is abducted 

 from its vertical axis. Sometimes it rests upon the ground with the 

 toe, or is held altogether in the air. At other times it undergoes 

 isochronous movements, being incessantly rested and elevated, especially 

 if the pain is great ; the litter is then pawed back and trampled into 



1 We say, in ordinary language, to limp on three legs. This is technically an improper expres- 

 sion, which results from confounding the members of the animal with his legs (tibial region). 

 Quadrupeds have two legs and not four, but they have four members. 



