^6 Horses and Horsemastership, 



legs, it probably will be observed that one hip is carried 

 higher than the other, and if in conjunction with this 

 the head nods as the foot on the side that is so carried 

 comes to the ground, then the trouble will invariably 

 "be discovered on that side, either in the hock or below 

 it, but probably the former, for the high carriage of the 

 hip is one of the peculiarities of hock lameness. Another 

 point to be noticed is if the horse goes on straight, or 

 trcts, much as a dog does, with a slanting of the body. 

 The slant will usually be from the side on which the 

 trouble exists, as though the animal were tr\^ing to get 

 away from the pain. Tliis peculiarity is most notice- 

 able when the trouble is above the hock joint. 



Viewed from the side, the examiner's attention will 

 be more especially directed to the movements of the 

 joints. Is there equal flexion of the hocks, the knees, 

 and the fetlocks? and so on. Tlien the way the feet are 

 put dowm is of importance. Anv irregularity of the 

 •cadence will also convey a meaning. The rhythmic one, 

 two, three, four, is alwavs interfered with by lameness, 

 though it does not follow^ that this alone is a sign, for 

 many quite sound horses do not trot true. 



It is not sufficient to test a horse on hard ground, 

 such as a road, for although lameness which arises from 

 "bonv deposits, such as splints, spavins, etc., is more 

 apparent under such conditions, sprains of the ligaments 

 and muscles are more easilv detected on soft ground. 



