DISEASES OF THE FOOT AND SHOEING 193 



lowered. It is difficult or impossible to back a horse lame in both 

 hind legs. 



Horses lame in both fore and hind legs show a waddling gait 

 behind that may be mistaken for loin or croup lameness. 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 advanced, for 

 then pain is felt. It is a typical swinging-leg lameness and the toe 

 is dragged. Many horse owners believe 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 detect 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 lamenesses 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 for the exact location of the soreness is 

 a valuable aid in diagnosis, but care should be taken to distinguish 

 between flinching due to nervousness and that due to inflammatory 

 soreness. The presence of one or more of the cardinal symptoms 

 of inflammation are rehable guides in the diagnosis of lameness. 

 By placing the lame leg in its normal position and carefully compar- 

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

 diagnosis can be made. In obscure cases resort may be had to 

 cocain injections over the sensitive nerves of the suspected part 

 for correct diagnosis. 



Unscrupulous dealers practice certain tricks to cover up lame- 

 ness. 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. 



In the treatment of lameness, rest is the principal requirement 

 to restore the horse to perfect soundness or usefulness. The usual 

 means of providing rest are the use of a specially constructed shoe, 

 the application of a blister, trimming the hoof, turning out to pas- 

 ture. These and other methods of treatment are to be employed 

 only after each case is studied and the exciting cause of the lame- 

 ness has been removed. 



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