52 LAMENESS OF THE HORSE 



tauce, ill some cases, lanieuess becomes less evident — as in sjiavin. 

 This "warming out" process is due in a measure to the parts 

 becoming less sensitive upon exertion, and is to be seen, to a 

 limited extent, in all inflammatory affections that are not too 

 severe; consequently, in some cases, examination of a lame ani- 

 mal should begin in the stall, for in instances where the impedi- 

 ment is not marked, there may be no evidence of lameness after 

 the subject ha.s walked a few steps. In other cases, lameness in- 

 creases as the subject continues to travel, and often to the ex- 

 tent that tile impediment becomes too severe to allow the animal 

 being serviceable. Therefore, one can not, in every case of lame- 

 ness observed, positively determine the gravity of the situation, 

 without having seen the affected animal in action for a sufficient 

 length of time to understand the nature of the condition ex- 

 isting. This necessitates driving the animal for several miles in 

 certain cases. 



Sometimes it is impossible to arrive at any definite conclusion, 

 as the result of a single examination, and it then becomes neces- 

 sary to see the subject again at a later date, or under more 

 favorable circumstances. This is to be expected in some con- 

 ditions where there exists rheumatic affections, and also in some 

 foot diseases. 



In the examination of young animals, unused to harness and 

 to other strange incumbrances, one is obliged to make allow^ance 

 for impediments of gait, which are not occasioned by diseased 

 conditions. Such affections have been termed "false lameness." 

 Young mules that are not well broken to harness, are difficult sub- 

 jects for examination ami in some eases it is necessary to have 

 them led or driven for a considerable distance before one can 

 definitely interpret the nature of the impediment in the gait when 

 lameness is not pronounced. Jt is especially difficult to satis- 

 factorily examine such subjects, for the reason that their normal 

 rebellious temperaments cause resistance whenever a strange 

 person approaches them, as it is necessary to do for an examina- 

 tion by palpation. In such cases — if an examination does not 

 reveal the cause of trouble, rest must be recommended and fur- 

 ther examination made at a later date, whereupon any new 

 developments iiuiy be noted, if such changes exist. 



