46 EXAMINATION OF HORSES 



over a right angle; that is, instead of being 90°, it is 

 about 95°. {See Fig. 1,2.) 



This lower angle being unalterable by any movement 

 or position, it follows that where the phalanges bend in 

 either way, it is at the expense of the upper angle or 

 that formed by the pasterns with the top of the hoof; 

 and it was shown that in a state of rigidity of the limb, 

 or when the horse was standing fully upon it, that this 

 angle was 5° less than a right angle (85°), the other angle 

 below it being 5° more ; therefore when bent, as when a 

 horse is trotting, galloping, or jumping, and gathering 

 his limbs well under him, this- angle is still less ; or in 

 other words it is this angle which is alterable. 



The lowermost phalangeal bone {ps pedis) bears a 

 constant unalterable relation to our loiuer angle, because 

 it \?> fixed m the hoof; and we have seen that the lower 

 angle is altogether formed by the hoof. 



We have also seen that in a state of great rigidity of 

 the limb, as when the weight of the body is thrown 

 forwards upon it in sleep, or when in motion, that the 

 column of bones, from the pedal joint to the elbow 

 joint, becomes one rigid column, practically as stiff and 

 unyielding as if it were made of iron. It is a rigid bent 

 lever having a very long arm and a very short arm. 

 {See Fig. 2.) 



This being so, we have the foot below on the one 

 hand, and the whole leg above on the other, as two rigid 

 pieces, with their juncture and yielding point at the 

 coffin joint — the joint with the tendinous yielding stay. 



