Much may be gathered by first putting the animal through his paces.  When at a trot, notice the peculiarity of the ‘drop,’ whether any alteration in going on hard or soft ground, and watch for any special characteristic in gait.  At the same time inquiry should be made as to the history of the case; its duration; whether pain, as evidenced by lameness, is constant or periodic; the effect of exercise on the lameness; and the length of time elapsed since the last shoeing.

This failing to reveal adequate cause for the lameness in any higher part of the limb, one is led, by a process of negative deduction, to suspect the foot.  If ‘pointing’ is a symptom, its manner is noticed.  The foot is compared with the other for any deviation from the normal.  In some cases the two fore or the two hind feet may differ in size.  Though this may not necessarily indicate disease, it may, nevertheless, be taken into account if the lameness is not easily referable to any other member.  Measurement with calipers will then be of help, and a pronounced increase in size, especially if marked in one position only, given due consideration.  The hand is used upon each foot alternately to look for change of temperature, to detect the presence of growths small enough to escape the eye, and to discover evidence of painful spots along the coronet.

At this stage the method of percussion recommends itself, and in many cases no more useful diagnostic agent is to be found than the ordinary hammer.  As a preliminary, the foot of the sound limb should be always tapped first.  This precaution will serve to bring to light what is frequently met with—­the aversion nervous animals sometimes exhibit to this manner of manipulation of the hoof.  Unless this is done, the ordinary objection to interference is apt to be read as evidence of pain.  No aversion to the method being shown, the suspected foot is gently tapped in various places round the wall, a keen look-out being kept for any manifestation of tenderness.  This may vary from a slight resentment to each tap, indicated by a sudden lifting and setting down again of the foot, to a complete removal of the foot from the ground, and a characteristic pawing of the air that points out clearly enough the seat of pain.

Evidence of pain once given, the tapping is persisted in until, in some cases, the exact position of the tender spot is definitely located.

Failing evidence obtained from percussion, attention should next be given to the shoeing.  We may add here that, even when difficulties have to be encountered in doing it, it is always a wise plan to have the shoe removed.

The nails should be removed one by one, the course they have taken, their point of emergence on the wall, and the condition of their broken ends all being carefully noted as they are withdrawn.

The removed shoe should next be examined as to the coarseness or fineness of its punching and the ‘pitch’ of its nail-holes, and close attention given to the shape of its bearing surface.