90 The Diseases of Animals 
There is a popular belief among horse owners that 
shoulder lameness is very common, but this is an 
error. Shoulder lameness is extremely rare. Nearly 
all lamenesses of the fore leg occur below the knee, 
and most of these are in the foot. In the hind leg 
most cases of lameness occur in the hock joint, or below 
it. Hip-joint lameness is very rare. 
In locating lameness it is best. to examine the animal 
while he is moving, preferably on a hard road at a trot, 
and without check, harness or blanket. The person 
leading the horse should give him as much freedom of 
the head as is possible. The horse should be seen 
passing by, coming toward, and going from, the ob- 
server. He should also be turned in short cireles to 
the right, then to the left, in order to bring the weight 
on the right and the left legs alternately. 
When the lameness is in one leg, the horse will 
usually drop on the corresponding well leg as soon as 
possible, with a movement that is easily recognized. In 
standing, the weight is taken off the lame leg, and this 
leg is placed in a position that will give the most relief. 
When the lameness is in both front legs, the animal 
moves with a peculiar stiff or stilted motion, and when 
standing shifts the weight uneasily from one leg to the 
other. Aside from the symptoms of lameness that 
are shown when the animal is in motion, a thorough 
examination of the affected limb should be made by 
manipulating and feeling of it for signs of soreness, in- 
flammation, bunches, depressions or swellings. An 
amateur should always make a careful examination of 
the foot, as most lamenesses are located here. The shoe 
