14 LAMENESS IN THE HORSE. 



Examination of the Lame Animal. 



1. Observe the hoise while at rest, see if the feet support 

 the same amouDt of weight, or if the animal points; whether 

 one fetlock is more upright than the other and whether he 

 frequently shifts the weight from one leg to the other. 



Some nervous horses, or those previously treated with 

 blisters, setons, firing iron, etc., become restless at once on 

 approach of a person ; such animals therefore must be 

 examined with great care. 



2. Make the animal step from one side to the other, 

 bestowing particular attention upon the action of the 

 hind-legs. The spasmodic motion peculiar to spavin or 

 stringhalt is often brought out in this manner. 



3. The animal is now walked, trotted, ridden or driven, 

 according to the degree of lameness. While moving the 

 horse the nature of the faulty action must be studied. The 

 important point lies in finding out whether the faulty action 

 is more visible while the leg is supporting weight or when 

 it is swinging ; whether it is abducted or adducted, the toe 

 pointing in or outward. In all doubtful cases the horse 

 must be tried on soft and on hard ground. 



4. If possible, place the animal's legs into a normal 

 position, and inspect the various parts of the lame leg, 

 always comparing them with the same parts of the sound 

 leg, to find anatomical changes. Examine the hoof first, 

 unless the seat of the lameness is sufficiently conspicuous to 

 allow the omission of the examination. 



Examination of the Hoof. 



A thorough knowledge of the principles of shoeing, of 

 the anatomy and diseases of the hoof, are essential to arrive 

 at a correct diagnosis. The size and shape of the hoof is to 



