2 DETECTION OF LAMENESS. 



defect, that it seems probable purely mechanical causes give rise 

 to lameness much less frequently than might be supposed. 



Lameness may be shown : (1) when the foot of the lame leg is 

 on the ground, as when the horse is suffering from a painful corn ; 

 (2) when the foot is raised, as in the case of stiffness of the knee, 

 without pain ; and (3) when the foot is on and off the ground, as 

 in acute pain of the fetlock joint. 



For convenience' sake, " pointing " (p. 3) of a foot may be in- 

 cluded under the heading of lameness. 



EXAMINATION FOR LAMENESS. — In examining a horse for 

 lameness, the affected leg should be first found, and then the seat 

 of disease or inability in that limb located. 



To detect slight lameness, such as spavin and stringhalt, it is 

 often best to make the examination when the horse is in his box 

 or stall, and able to turn his forehand from one side to the other. 

 He will then shift the weight on to one hind leg more quickly than 

 on to the other, which may consequently bo regarded as the un- 

 sound lin;b. 



Detection of lameness, during movement, may be considered 

 under two heads : (1) When the man who " shows " the horse en- 

 deavours to make hi?n stand or move in as sound a manner as 

 possible. (2) When the examination is under personal control. 



In the first case, an unwary purchaser may be easily deceived 

 by a clever " coper," whose usual dodges are as follows : — Before 

 the horse is brought out of the stable he is " warmed up " by being 

 threatened with the whip and voice, so that he may forget the pain 

 in his feet and legs, and be ready to dance and prance about at the 

 slightest sign from his master. 



The softest ground is chosen on which to show off his action. 

 He will be led in a curb or Pelham — not a snaffle — and be held 

 tightly by the head, which will be kept in a raised position, so as 

 to prevent him from " nodding " it, or throwing it up. Some excuse 

 will be framed for not letting him trot ; but if that pace be insisted 

 on, he will probably be led on the same side, if lame in front, with 

 his head turned towards the affected limb. Or he may be ridden 

 with a sharp bit and a tight curb chain. 



If the horse is lame on one fore leg, and it is feared that a 

 somewhat strict examination will be made, the coper may pare 

 down the hoof of its sound fellow, after removing the shoe, so as to 

 make the animal equally tender on both fore feet, when the shoe of 

 the sound foot has been replaced. The horse's apparent stiffness of 

 gait might then, if remarked upon, be accounted for by alleging 

 want of action, naturally cramped manner of going, &c. 



Leaving the copers to the prosecution of their nefarious trade 



