254 



THE HORSE. 



in which a represents the lower part of the shank- 

 bone; J the scssumoid-bones ; c the upper pastern; 

 d the lower pastern ; and e the coffin-bone ; ff are 

 the branches of the suspensory ligaments going to 

 unite with the extensor tendon ; g the long extensor 

 tendon ; h ligaments connecting the two pastern-bones 

 together ; and i the lateral cartilages of the foot. 



And now, having arrived at the foot, which is the 

 most complicated and important part in the frame of 

 a horse, we shall defer the consideration of the coffin 

 and navicular-bones until we have described the 

 hinder extremities. We may, however, observe that 

 both these joints are subject to sprain, and particu- 

 larly the coffin-joint. 



SPRAIN OF THE COFFIN-JOINT. 



The proof of this is when the lameness is sudden, and the heat and ten- 

 derness are principally felt round the coronet. Bleeding at the toe, physic, 

 fomentation, and blisters are the usual means adopted. Tiiis lameness is not 

 easily removed, even by a blister; and, if removed, like sprains of the fet- 

 lock and of the back-sinews, it is apt to return, and finally produce a great 

 deal of disorganization and mischief in the foot. This wrick, or sprain of 

 the coffin-joint, sometimes becomes a very serious affair, not being always 

 attended by any external swelling, and. being detected only by heat around 

 the coronet, the seat of the lameness is often overlooked ; and the disease 

 is suffered to become confirmed before its nature is discovered. 



From violent or repeated sprains of the pastern or coffin-joints, or exten- 

 sion of the ligaments attached to other parts of the pastern-bones, inflam- 

 mation takes place in the periosteum, and bony matter is formed, which 

 often rapidly increases, and is recognised by the name of 



RINGBONE. 



Ringbone commences in one of the pasterns, and usually about the pas- 

 tern-joint, but it rapidly spreads, and involves not only the pastern-bones, 

 but the cartilages of the foot. When the first deposit is on the lower pas- 

 tern, and on both sides of it, and produced by violent inflammation of the 

 ligaments of the joints, it is recognised by a slight enlargement, or bony 

 tumour on each side of the foot, and just above the coronet. (See f, in 

 the following cut.) This is more frequent in the hind-foot than in the fore, 

 because, from the violent action of the hind-legs in propelling the horse 

 forward, the pasterns are more subject to ligamentary injury behind than 

 before ; yet the lameness is not so great, because the disease is confined 

 principally to the ligaments, and the bones have not been injured by con- 

 cussion ; while, from the position of the fore limbs, and their exposure to 

 concussion, there will generally be in them injury of the bones to be added 

 to that of the ligaments. In its early stage, and when recognised only by 

 a bony enlargement on both sides of the pastern-joint, or in some tew cases 

 on one side only, the disease may frequently be removed by active blister- 

 ing, or by the application of the cautery ; but there is so much wear 

 and tear in this part of the animal, that the inflammation and the disposi 

 tion to the formation of bone rapidly spread. The pasterns first become 

 connected together by bone instead of ligament, and thence results what is 

 called an anchylosed or fixed joint. Its motion is lost. From this joint 



