Horses and Horsemastership, 65 



to observe his movements both from in front, from 

 behind, and from both sides. If the lameness is so 

 slight as not to be noticeable at the walk, the horse 

 should be taken along at a slow trot, the groom allowing 

 him just enough rope to go freely. 



Now, it is easy enough to say '" that horse is lame'' 

 when one sees a suffering animal hobbling along, but 

 the experienced man knows that the nodding of the head, 

 for instance, always occurs on the same side as the lame 

 leg if the trouble is behind, while the reverse applies it 

 it is in front. He will note also if the horse, as he is 

 trotted towards him, dwells longer on one fore foot than 

 the other (though the difference be but momentary), and 

 for a certainty down will go his head as that foot reaches 

 the ground, proving that it is in the other leg he is 

 suffering. In cases of severe lameness in one of the fore 

 legs, the pain of contact with the ground will frequently 

 cause the animal to throw his head up beyond the normal 

 level as the diseased or injured member comes down, 

 and the corresponding nod will be accentuated. 



The examiner next observes the horse's movement 

 from behind, and if the action of the hips exhibits no 

 difference he will be confirmed in arriving at the decision 

 that the trouble is in front, for rarely, if ever, does 

 lameness in the fore legs affect the action of the hips. 

 Eut supposing the lameness exists in one of the hind 



