C76 



THE FORE LEGS. 



horse with these defects should be carefully examined a* the inside of the fetlock, and 

 rf there are any sore or callous places from cutting, thert will be sufficient reason foi 

 rejecting the animal. Some horses will cut only when they are fatigued or lame, and 

 old ; many colts will cut before they arrive at their full strength. 



A consideration of the pasterns will throw more light upon this and other diseases 

 of the extremities. 



The upper pastern bone (6, p. 272, and a in the first figure, and b in the second in 

 the following cuts) receives the lower pulley-like head of the shank-bone, and forma 

 a hinge-joint admitting only of bending and extension, but not of side motion ; it 

 likewise articulates with the sessamoid-bones. Its lower head has two rounded pro- 

 tuberances, which are received into corresponding depressions in the lower pastern. 

 On either side, above the pastern joint, are roughened projections for the attachment 

 of very strong ligaments, both in capsular ligaments, and many cross ligament*, 

 which render the joint between the two pasterns sufficiently secure. 



Fig. I. 



Fig. I. 



a The upper pastern. 

 b The lower pastern. 

 e The navicular bone. 

 d The coffin-bone. 



Fig. 2. 



a The sessamoid bone. 

 b The upper pastern. 

 c The lower pastern. 

 d The navicular bone. 

 e The coffin-bone, with the horny lamina. 



The lower pastern (d, p. 272, and b in the first figure, and c in the second in thia 

 cut) is a short and thick bone with its larger head downward. Its upper head has 

 two depressions to receive the protuberances on the lower head of the upper bone, 

 bearing some resemblance to a pulley, but not so decidedly as the lower head of the 

 shank-bone. Its lower head resembles that of the other pastern, and has also two 



Erominences, somewhat resembling a pulley, by which it articulates with the coffin- 

 one ; and a depression in front, corresponding with a projection in the coffin-bone. 

 There are also two slight depressions behind, receiving eminences of the naviculai 

 bone. Neither of these joints admits of any lateral motion. The ligaments of this 

 joint, both the capsular and the cross ones, are like those of 

 the pastern-joint, exceedingly strong. The tendon of the 

 extensor muscle is inserted into the fore part, both of the 

 upper and lower pastern-bones as well as into the upper part 

 of the coffin-bone (/, p. 272) ; and at the back of these bones 

 the suspensory ligament is expanded and inserted, while a 

 portion of it goes over the fore part of the upper pastern to 

 reach the extensor tendon. These attachments in front of 

 the bones are seen in the accompanying cut, in which a 

 represents the lower part of the shank-bone ; b the sessamoid 

 bones ; c the upper pastern ; d the lower pastern ; and e the 

 coffin-bone ; / are the branches of the suspensory liga 

 ments going to unite with the extensor tendon; g the 

 long extensor tendon; h ligaments connecting thu two 

 pastern-bones together ; and i the lateral cartilages of the 

 foot. 



