CHAPTER I. 



Detection of Lameness. 



dbfmitiok conditions of examination for lameness pointing ■ 



suitability of the trot as a pace at which to detect lameness 



movements of the head in lameness detection of lameness 



during movement peculiarities of action method of finding 



out whether the seat of lameness is or is not above the 



FETLOCK. 



DEFINITION. — A horse is lame when pain or inability causes 

 him, during movement, to alter the usual distribution of weight on 

 one or more of the limbs ; or to alter the normal " play " (extension 

 and flexion) of any of their joints. Irregularity of gait is com- 

 monly supposed to constitute lameness. A horse which is " lame 

 all round '' may, however, go " level." Although deficiency of action 

 is its usual cause, the lameness of stringhalt is due to its excess. 

 In the case of a horse which is equally lame on all his legs, the 

 duration of their periods of contact with the ground, and the " play " 

 of one or more of their respective joints will not be normal. In the 

 majority of such cases, either the toe or the heel will be unduly 

 favoured in the distribution of weight. 



Percivall defines lameness " as the manifestation in the act of 

 progression, by one or more of the limbs, of pain or weakness, in- 

 ability or impediment." We here come to the important division 

 of mechanical lameness, and lameness from pain. Under ordinary 

 circumstances it is difficult to say when the former is wholly un- 

 complicated by the latter. If a horse is lame, for instance, from a 

 stiff joint which exhibits no inflammatory symptoms after work, 

 and if the nature of the lameness is unaffected by work, we may 



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