16 LAMENESS IN THE HOESE. 



On the whole it is well to examine an animal for 

 lameness after it has rested some time, while again a great 

 many horses can be examined to advantage immediately on 

 being presented for examination. 



The temperature of the hoof is also of interest, remem- 

 bering the fact that the posterior part of the hoof is 

 naturally warmer than the balance of it, as that region is 

 more richly supplied with blood and the horn is thinner. 

 For this reason it is best to individually examine the various 

 regions of the hoof, using the same part of the hand for 

 each one. For instance, the one hand is allowed to rest 

 upon the toe of the lame foot while the other hand rests on 

 the same part of the sound foot, comparing the impression 

 made upon both hands. In a similar manner ail parts are 

 gone over. 



Palpation is also of value to detect pain. The instru- 

 ments employed are a light hammer and hoof testers. 



Ill order to avoid errors, that is, to interpret the obtained 

 results correctly, quite some practice and judgment are 

 required, as too strong a pressure may produce pain even 

 in a sound hoof, while too light a pressure in a diseased 

 hoof gives negative results. Generally speaking, the proper 

 amount of pressure is then applied, when the horn yields 

 just a little ; if this is not productive of pain, evinced by the 

 attempts of the animal to withdraw the foot, one may be 

 reasonably sure that the spot borne upon is not the seat of 

 pain. 



As a rule, it is safest to begin testing the hoof where no 

 disease is supposed to exist, thus to find out the degree of 

 elasticity and sensibility of the region about to be examined. 

 To complete the test, the various parts pinched by the hoof 

 tester are lightly tajjped with the hammer, in order to 



