294: The Farmer's Veterinary Adviser. 



of one foot more frequently and for longer periods than 

 its fellow is suspicious. 



Lying. An inclination to lie down, and remain so, is to 

 be similarly regarded. If the animal remains down per- 

 sistently, we may infer great suffering, fractures or much 

 weakness. 



In Exercise. Lameness may be shown in the walk, but 

 better in the slow, easy trot, the animal being led in hand 

 with about three feet of free rein and without noise or 

 other cause of excitement. Some horses manifest a bridle 

 lameness from the mere leading, but if the leader goes 

 first on the left side and then on the right, the drooping 

 of the head will correspond first to the one foot and then 

 to the other, showing it to be only a feint. In aU cases 

 of lameness in a single hmb the foot is rested on the 

 ground with less weight and is raised as quickly as possi- 

 ble. There is therefore not only the visible halting on 

 that limb, but a lower sound made by striking the ground 

 and thus the ear comes to assist the eye in detecting the 

 ailing member. If one fore limb is affected, the head and 

 anterior part of the body are elevated when its foot comes 

 to the ground, but drop firmly when the sound foot is 

 planted. A depression of the opposite hind limb accom- 

 panying the elevation of the head, when the failing fore 

 limb comes to the ground, must not lead to the suspicion 

 of lameness behind. 



In single lameness behind, the gait resembles that seen 

 in lameness before, the haunch on the diseased side being 

 raised when the foot is planted and allowed to droop 

 thereafter until the opposite foot reaches the ground. In 

 some, the elevation is the prominent feature, in others the 

 depression, but in aU the rising and falling are greater 

 than in the opposite quarter. 



With lameness ia both fore hmbs the step is short, the 



stroke on the ground weak, the rest of each foot on the 



ground shortened, the shoulders are carried upright and 



stiff, the head is raised, the loins are arched, the croup 



25* 



