276 PRINCIPLES OF VETERINARY SCIENCE 



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 lame- 

 ness 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 reliable guides in the 

 diagnosis of lameness. By placing the lame leg in its normal 

 position and carefully comparing it with the sound leg for ana- 

 tomic changes a more accurate diagnosis can be made. In 

 obscure cases resort may be had to cocain injections over the 

 sensory nerves of the suspected part for correct diagnosis. 



Unscrupulous dealers practise 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. 



Treatment. — 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 pasture. These and other methods of treatment 

 are to be employed only after each case is studied and the exciting 

 cause of lameness has been removed. 



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