BONES AND INTEGUMENTS OF PASTERN AND FOOT 221 



/. The sensible laminae, to which the crust is attached. 

 , v. The crust, or wall of the foot. 

 w. The place of bleeding at the toe. 

 x. The horny sole. 

 y. The cleft of the horny frog. 



It is obvious, from the situation which the suspen- 

 sory ligament occupies, that splints formed backward 

 on the leg are more liable to produce lameness than 

 those which are formed on the side of the leg ; be- 

 cause they interfere with the motion of this ligament, 

 and if large may press upon and injure it. The chief 

 action of the suspensory ligament is to suspend the 

 sesamoid bone in its place. 



It will be seen by the figure above described, 

 that the pasterns are united to the shank in an 

 oblique direction, differing in degree of obliquity 

 with the various breeds of horses. A portion of 

 the weight which falls upon the pasterns must be 

 communicated to the sesamoid bones. The yield- 

 ing of the pasterns, taken in connection with their 

 oblique position, is a beautiful contrivance to pre- 

 vent jarring in the action of the horse ; and this is 

 materially assisted by the sesamoid being suspended, 

 and no bone being under it ; so that the suspensory 

 ligament gradually yields, lengthens, and contracts 

 in proportion to the weight or pressure applied to 

 it, thus rendering all severe concussion impossible, 

 because it yields to the force it has to sustain, and 

 lengthens ; but as soon as the foot is raised from 

 the ground and pressure is removed, its elastic power 

 is again exerted, and it contracts to its natural length, 

 and the sesamoid bone springs back into its place, 

 and by this quick and rapid return assists in raising 

 the limb. This action is thus clearly described by 

 Mr Percivall : " Furthermore, it seems to us that 



