12 LAMENESS IN THE HORSE. 



Exceedingly difficult to diagnose arc complicated cases, 

 tliat is, those where more than one leg is lame at the same 

 time, calling for constant practice and keen observation. If 

 there is any doubt as to the permanency of the lameness, — 

 it may be temporary from interfering, picking up stones, 

 etc., — examine the animal again in a day or two.' 



Lameness resulting from chronic disease of a joint, 

 especially the hock joint, becomes more pronounced by 

 passively flexing the joint supposed to be diseased for one 

 or two minutes, trotting the animal immediately on releasing 

 the leg. This method of examination, applied mostly to 

 confirm the diagnosis " spavin," is known as the spavin test. 

 Sometimes it is necessary to trot the horse in a circle, 

 particularly if trotting him in a straight line gives negative 

 results ; but the circle must not be too small, as this 

 produces irregular action of the legs. The horse is trotted 

 to the right and to the left of the circle, as one direction is 

 apt to bring out the lameness better than the other. For 

 instance, if jogging him to the left causes or increases 

 lameness, the trouble is somewhere in the near leg. 



