RURAL VETERINARY SECRETS 147 



due to bad nail puncture or fracture, the foot may be lifted entirely 

 from the ground. Frequent lifting from one forefoot to the other is 

 indicative of coffin joint trouble. 



If lameness behind is suspected, let the animal be trotted away 

 from you and watch for the limb on which the animal dwells and on 

 which he puts his weight; as to which is raised the higher; whether a 

 toe is dragged or not; then turn to the right about and left about, no- 

 ticing whether any reluctance is shown to putting weight on a limb. 



THE SPAVIN TEST 



This test may be given if hock lameness is suspected, by flexing 

 the hock tightly, which is performed by lifting the limb up close to the 

 body for a few minutes, the foot being let down and the animal trotted 

 off smartly. If the lameness is due to spavin, the lameness will be more 

 marked after giving the test, the horse sometimes going off on the hop. 

 After a drive, or warming up of a horse, the lameness will often disap- 

 pear; in such cases the examination should be deferred until the horse 

 has cooled oft", when the lameness will usually show very plainly. 

 Horses often drive out of the lameness when warmed up ; that is, the 

 lameness disappears, except when lame from SPLINTS, SORE 

 SHINS, CORNS, FOUNDER or SPRAINS. Intermittent lameness, 

 that is, the animal goes lame one time, sound another, is characteristic 

 of RHEUMATISM or NAVICULAR TROUBLE. 



Lameness behind is usually in the hock ; if in front, the feet of 

 heavy horses are usually affected, light horses being liable to affections 

 of the cannons, tendons or ligaments, as well as the feet. Wearing of 

 the toe of a front shoe is symtomatic of navicular; of a hind shoe, 

 spavin; if the heel is worn it is likely to be due to either Founder or 

 Ringbone. 



