CHAPTER XV 

 DISEASES OF THE FOOT AND SHOEING 



LAMENESS 



Lameness has been defined as any irregularity in the gait. 

 It is the most serious impediment that may befall a horse because 

 of its frequent occurrence. From a diagnostic point of view it is 

 necessary to distinguish between a "swinging leg lameness" in 

 which the pain emanates from the shoulder or the hip and a "sup- 

 porting leg lameness," in which the lesion is in the knee, hock, or 

 lower part of the leg. 



To detect lameness the examiner should first get a full history 

 of the case. Then he ought to observe the animal at rest. In 

 severe cases he may recognize that pain exists by the horse point- 

 ing, frequently raising the affected limb, or placing the affected 

 part in an unnatural position for relief. Next the animal should 

 be trotted past, away from, and toward the observer. The 

 attendant must not take too short a hold on the halter shank, as it 

 would interfere with free movements. The head and hips are to 

 be closely watched at this time, as their movements are a reliable 

 guide in locating the seat of lameness. 



If lame in the right fore leg, for example, the head will "nod" 

 or "bob" when the left or sound foot is planted on the ground, 

 while the head jerks up at the moment the right or lame foot touches 

 the ground. 



When lameness exists in both fore legs the action is stiff and 

 stilty, the natural free stride is shortened, and the feet are raised 

 but little from the ground. Almost always the hind legs are 

 picked up higher than normally, the shoulders seem to be stiff, and 

 the head is carried higher than is usual. 



Lameness behind may be noted by a dropping of the hip oppo- 

 site to the one in which soreness exists when the horse is trotted 

 from the observer. 



Should there be lameness in both hind legs the stride is short- 

 ened and the gait awkward, the fore legs are not advanced in front 

 of the body and are raised higher than usual, and the head is 



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