DEFECTS IN THE HORSE 199 



ness. This peculiar motion is simply due to the fact that 

 the hind legs are unduly advanced under the body for 

 their own relief or that of the front legs. 



"Shoulder lameness is shown at the time the leg is ad- 

 vanced, for then pain is felt. It is a typical swinging-leg 

 lameness and the toe is dragged. Many horse owners be- 

 lieve that this form of lameness is very common, but it 

 really is quite rare. 



"In the majority of cases it is not very difficult to de- 

 tect the limb in which lameness exists, but experience and 

 keen insight are required to locate the exact seat of the 

 trouble. Remember that the largest percentage of lame- 

 nesses are located below the knee and hock, and that the 

 foot is involved much oftener than any other part. If the 

 existence of a spavin is suspected, give the horse the 

 'spavin test.' Palpation (feeling) for the exact location 

 of the soreness is a valuable aid in diagnosis, but care should 

 be taken to distinguish between flinching due to nervous- 

 ness and that due to inflammatory soreness. The presence 

 of one or more of the cardinal symptoms of inflammation 

 are reliable guides in the diagnosis of lameness. By placing 

 the lame leg in a normal position and carefully comparing 

 it with the sound leg for anatomic changes, a more accurate 

 diagnosis can be made. . . . 



"Unscrupulous dealers practice certain tricks to cover 

 up lameness. Among the common ones are the use of a curb 

 bit and a close hold on the leading rein to keep the head 

 raised and to prevent 'nodding.' By paring down the 

 sound foot to the 'quick' and replacing the shoe so as to 

 make both feet tender, a horse slightly lame may be made 

 to appear normal." 



Heaves is an unsoundness of the lungs, in which the thin 

 air sacs break down and lose their normal contracting 

 power. Heaves is often caused by dusty food, but any 

 bulky or indigestible food that presses on the diaphragm 

 may cause this trouble. At first a peculiar cough is de- 

 veloped. Later on, after the disease is well established, the 



