SFKAINS nl' TKNDON.S ANU I-IGAMKXTS OF THK FOUE-LEC. oo7' 



ou bv the iiiiisck's above, tiny are the |ia.ssive aireiits or ropes, il" we may 

 use the exj>ressioii, by which the lejjf is raised, whenever the horse is in 

 motion. From the great btrens thrown on them in these duties, we 

 l"re<|uently tind them sprained in all ll<^r^es. and es|ieeially in those whose 

 work takes I'hue in deeji ground. The I'lexor tendons are marked A 

 and n in Plate L»7. 



The seat of sprain and consequent swelling is usually in the loiitr Imlf 

 towards the fetlock. Tlie injur}' occurs more often here than in thu 

 upf)cr I'ortion, because that part derives strength and assistam e Iroiii the 

 Metacarpal ligament. 



•J77. Dufus und discri/itioii uj Lnj'iini nts. 



The ligaments in the hoi"se nuiy be divided into C'onnciiive, Capsular, 

 Annular, and Supporting or Suspensory. 



('(innerdic Liyaiinnti unite the extremities of bones. 



Capsiilur Liijaments confine the joint oil secreted from glands on their 

 internal surface which lul>ricates the opposing' ends of bones. 



Annttlur (or liiinj-ltkt) Lii/aiitt nfs bind down tendons that pass over 

 joints for the production or regulation of progression. 



Sii/>purtin(/ ur Suspensory Liyaiiitnts are, like the preceding ones, in- 

 sensitive and do not need the periodical rest which sleep affords to 

 muscles and other structures of lii<.'her vitality. They support to a very 

 considerable extent the weight of the body. 



b78. Lhttu's uf thf tfujicriiji' Sti?iiiii'>idi 'if or tnif j^Ht'^^HHifv/y Liyuiinnl. 



This is the prominent sinew felt through the skin between the cannon 

 or great bone of the leg, and the flexor tendons. It is particularly to be 

 noted that it lies under the tiexor tendons (see IMute 27). It starts from 

 the back and uppermost part of the cannon bone, occupying the space 

 between the splint bones. It bifurcates, i. e. divides opposite the middle 

 third of the cannon bone, one branch proceeding to the outer side of each 

 sesamoid, with which and the lateral ligaments it is intimately blended, 

 giving off a slip on each side, which proceed downwards and forwards, 

 until inserted into the tendon of the extensor pedis. 



We have tei-mcd this the true suspensoiy ligament, because if it bo 

 dividetl in its main trunk, the fetlock will at once come to the ground. 



A great part of the weight of the horse is Ijorne by it, when the foot 

 comes to the ground. And on account of the great share Avhich it has 

 in sustaining weight, the suspensory' ligament is often sprained, more 

 often indeed than the 'Neighbouring tendons. The swelling and soreness 

 arising therefrom shows itself at the jioint of its occurrence, i. e. hctueeii 

 the shank bone and the tiexor tendons. (Please see third sentence, ]»ara- 

 graph Gtfl.) On account of its i>osition luuhr the lie.xor tendons, it is 

 more difficult to apply treatment to it, than to the tendons, which lie over 

 it. Ilencc it is more difficult of repair. 



The superior sesnmoideal ligament ha.s the peculiarity of being conipa- 

 rativcly elastic, and hence is useful in breaking or diminishing the con- 



