THE CANON 



75 



Fig. 54. Toes turned out 



Fig. 55. — In-kneed 



Fie^. 56. — Toes turned in 



sprain of the connecting and supporting ligaments of the joints and 

 limbs. 



THE CANON 



This region is limited above by tlie knee in front and by the hock 

 behind, and below by the fore and hind fetlock joints respectively. It 

 embraces within its circumference the three metacarpal bones, in front of 

 which are the extensor tendons, while behind, the suspensory ligament 

 of the fetlock, the carpal or check-ligament, and the flexor tendons follow 

 in the order named. The canon bone proper is the longer of the three. 

 It occupies the central position and assists in forming the knee-joint above 

 and the fetlock-joint below. 



Immediately behind the large canon, lodged in a groove formed by the 

 two small splint-bones, is the suspensory ligament of the fetlock-joint, a 

 strong, flattened band of dense, tough, though elastic structure firmly 

 attached above to the upper extremity of the canon and below to the small 

 bones (sesamoid bones) behind the fetlock-joint, which it supports in 

 opposition to the weight imposed upon them by the body. 



Springing from behind the knee and hock, where it is firmly attached 

 (fig. 12, p. 20), is a thick, short, tendinous cord, the check -ligament, a 

 powerful band which, after passing a short distance down the leg, unites 

 with the flexor tendon on its way to the foot. 



By this arrangement the weight imposed upon the flexor muscle may 



