EXAMININa FOR LAMENESS. 7 



The dragging of the toe, if the horse has been at work, will generally 

 be accompanied by wear at that part (Fig. 1). 



When the horse has trotted past about thirty yards, he should be 

 turned, somewhat sharply, to the " right about " (for instance), and 

 the person who is examining him should note the manner in which 

 he turns, so as to be able to compare it with the way he goes to 

 the " left about " the next time he turns. In this second trot past, 

 the observer should try to detect if there be any difference in the 

 action of the horse, as viewed from the off side, from that which 

 it presented when regarded from the near. If, after two or three 





¥\i 



-Holding up hind leg to test for spavin. 



trots past, there be any doubt remaining, perhaps the best way 

 to solve it is to mount the animal or put him in harness, and trot 

 him, alternately, slowly and rapidly, for a short distance on hard 

 ground, with a change on soft ground, and give him a few mode- 

 rately shai'p turns. 



If we suspect the existence of spavin, we may take up the foot 

 and bend the hock (Fig. 2), retaining it in that position for about 

 a minute. If, after that, ihoi animal trots sound, we may consider 

 the joint to be all right. 



In obscure cases of lameness, we may suspect bore disease — 

 such as incipient ringbore — as the cause, if the horse stands level 

 in his stall, but trots very lame on hard ground. 



In all cases, we should try if the animal backs with freedom and 

 regularity of gait. Failure to do so, will often be indicative of 

 " shivering " (p. 565). 



