The present invention includes a method and apparatus for diagnosing equine hoof and leg pathology. With the hoof to be diagnosed on the ground and in a load bearing position, sectors of the hoof are sequentially raised by application of a wedge to the bottom of the hoof where the wedge extends radially beneath the sector from the center of the hoof. Elevating a first sector of the foot stretches and adds tension to the connective tissue in the region diagonal to the sector that is elevated. At the same time, the joint surface and connective tissue in the region above the raised sector will be compressed during the elevating process. Following observation and measurement of the horses response to the raising of the first sector, the foot sector diagonally opposite to the first sector is similarly raised and the horses response is observed and measured. The discomfort or relief that is observed offers specific guidelines for diagnosis and treatment. The process is repeated for a plurality of sectors of the hoof.
