78 



CONFORMATION AND ITS DEFECTS 



We have already pointed out that in horses of speed the canon should be 

 absolutely long to give length and range to the stride. It should, however, 

 be short in proportion to the forearm. 



When weight is thrown upon the 

 limbs the Mexor tendons and the 

 suspensory ligament should stand out 

 in bold relief, the one behind the 

 other, with a well-marked groove 

 between them (fig. 57). A similar 

 depression ought also to be seen im- 

 mediately behind the canon -bone, 

 between it and the suspensory liga- 

 ment. To the touch these tendinous 

 structures require to be hard, tense, 

 and well developed. 



In common-bred horses the out- 



Fig. 59. — Bones of the Fetlock and Pastern 



A, Splint-bone. B, Canon-bone. C, SiifFraginis or 

 first phalanx. D, Second jihalanx. E, Pedal bone. 

 P, Navicular bone. G, Sesamoid bone. H, Ergot. 



Fig. 60. — Attachment of the Sesamoid Bones 

 to the Skeleton of the Leg 



AA, Suspensory ligament. b,b. Outer and 

 inner branches of the same, c, c, Outer and 

 inner sesamoid bones. D, Superficial sesa- 

 moid ligament. E, Deep sesamoid ligament. 

 P, P, Lateral phalangeal ligaments, G, Crucial 

 sesamoid ligament. H, Litersesamoid liga- 

 ment. 1,1, Posterior phalangeal ligaments. 



line of the parts composing this region is obscured by a thick skin and 

 a superabundance of subcutaneous connective tissue. The legs are then 

 said to be coarse and fleshy, and present a rounded, unshapely appearance. 



