Foot and Limb Troubles. 223 



animal should be examined both in the stable and out- 

 side, in the latter case at both -the trot and walk so as to 

 properly detect the trouble; if the horse is sound he will 

 stand squarely ou the fore feet, with probably one hind 

 foot rested alternately or if very tired a near foot and off 

 hind foot will be flexed or vice versa. 



Pointing is often used in connection with lameness, a 

 horse is said to point with a fore foot if, when standing 

 he keeps it in advance of its fellow, in which case the 

 heel or toe may be raised or the foot placed fiat upon the 

 ground. 



The novice is often perplexed to know whether the 

 lameness is before or behind, according as the animal is 

 trotted to or from him, and in this connection it might 

 be mentioned that the head and neck constitute the bal- 

 ancing pole of the body, in lameness of the fore limb the 

 head if free will be raised higher than usual when the 

 lame leg, if a front one, comes down on the ground, a 

 sharp turn to the right or left will also aid, as the weight 

 will be thrown on the forehand; if the lameness is behind 

 the head will be lowered when the limb is brought to the 

 ground. The slow trot on hard ground with the groom 

 a couple of feet from the animal's head, who is made to 

 go straight away, will be the best pace at which to 

 examine, if lameness in front is suspected have the ani- 

 mal trotted towards you, and note the movements of the 

 head, the legs and the feet, then note the action from the 

 side whether shortened or not, and if the actions of the 

 muscles of the limb are understood the variations from 

 the natural gait will be more readily understood. Up- 

 rightness of a fore pastern is symptomatic of lameness in 



