The next motion delineated necessitates the greatest care and the mightiest exertion. There are several signs which declare such to be the case. To advance the two sound fore legs is an effort of despair always preceded by a pause. During the time the feet are from the earth, the entire weight, unrelieved by the slightest counterpoise, must be supported by one sound limb. The muscles on that side have to raise the trunk, or to perform double labor, for the step invariably is a species of leap. The body has not only to be lifted, but the strain must be maintained to continue or rectify the balance. A pause of more than ordinary length declares the magnitude of the approaching struggle. The teeth are clinched; the head is thrown backward; a deep inspiration is inhaled; the muscles are powerfully excited; and, with a spasmodic suddenness, the feet are projected onward.
The step accomplished, the breath is released in a kind of heavy sigh; the animal remains quiescent for a brief space, as though the greatness of the late effort had partially deprived it of consciousness. It is, however, an exceptional ease for a horse of the lighter breed to be thus "hopping lame." In all animals, nevertheless, lameness is a heavy affliction; in all, the manner of progressing is characteristic of pain. Suffering, more or less intense, is declared every time the injured foot touches the ground.
A HORSE, IN THE ACT OF TROTTING, BEARS THE
WEIGHT UPON THE SOUND FORE FOOT.
One fore foot being affected, the head and body drop, or slightly sink, whenever the sound member rests upon the earth. This peculiarity a little reflection will readily account for. Of course the desire of a lame animal is to spare the disabled foot as much as possible. The injured part scarcely touches the earth, before, with an effort which raises the head and body, it is lifted again into the air. The least possible burden is thrown upon the disabled foot. However, the weight must be cast somewhere; and by how much less one leg has to carry, so much more must the other support. Consequently, when the sound hoof comes to the ground, the extra burden rests upon it; the head and body perceptibly drop, and the footfall emits an emphatic sound, the accent of which is increased by the all but inaudible tread of the opposite member.
The indication, however, is in some measure reversed when the lameness is situated behind. The movements of the head no longer accompany those of the fore legs; for, although the head be not steady, it evidently is not influenced by the forward members. If, however, the motion be closely observed, it will be found to be regulated by the movements of the posterior extremities, only with a difference. When the sound hind limb rests upon the earth, the head is raised; but the sinking or elevation of the whole body is never so marked as it is in the previous case of anterior injury. The movements characteristic of posterior lameness are, however, well shown in the haunches. When the sound limb reaches the ground, the hind portion of the body obviously drops upon that side; when the painful member is caught up, that side of the haunch on which resides the disabled foot is also jerked upward.
A HORSE, BEING LAME IN ONE HIND FOOT, RESTS
THE WEIGHT UPON THE SOUND LIMB WHILE
TROTTING.
There are other sorts of lameness to be described. A horse is sometimes returned by the smith lame all round. The gait is peculiar, because it is caused by the shoes being too small or tight. It has been likened to skating; and the author thinks the term so applicable that he has no desire to change it. There can, however, be then no difficulty in detecting the cause of the affliction. The horse was, a short time before, sent to the forge a sound animal, and it has been returned a positive cripple.
It is lamentable to remark the number of horses which are driven through the streets of London in a disabled condition. People appear to be without feelings or recognitions when the sufferings of horse-flesh are before them. An animal with scarcely a sound limb, or else "hopping lame," may frequently be seen, in broad daylight, attached to some gentleman's carriage or tradesman's cart, to a hired vehicle or a costermonger's "all sorts." From the highest to the lowest, all are equally disgraced; the toil of a life seems incapable of purchasing a day's commiseration. A little forbearance might be a profitable investment in these cases; but no person seems able to keep a horse and to allow the animal a day of rest. So long as it can crawl, so long must patience work!