356 NAVm ON THE HORSE. 



arm-bone rests. The second row are four, similarly arranged, 

 and support the upper or first ro^y, themselves restmg on the 

 upper heads of the shank and splint-bones. These bones cor- 

 respond to the same bones in the wrist of man, and are united 

 by strong ligaments, binding them firmly together. By means 

 of these^bones great strength and free motion are secured; and 

 by the several layers of cartilage lining each where it is rested 

 on by, or itself rests on the bone, and by the sacks of synovial 

 membrane and their contained joint-water separatmg all the 

 concussion, or jar, which, but for this arrangement, would be 

 produced, is prevented. No union of two bones would be suf- 

 ficient to save this joint from destruction. But by this arrange- 

 ment almost every other part of the horse's limbs will suifer 

 from severe action before the knee. , 



A broad knee is an indication of great strength.^ It gives 

 the muscles great advantage and freedom of motion. The 

 knee is liable to the accident known as hroken-knee. 



BONES OF THE LEG. 



Those are three in number-the shanl., ^^^^^m^-'^"";: J" 

 front and the two splint-bones behind and at the sides. They 

 correspond to the bines of the hand in man, but the s.milanty 

 is not so strildng as with other bones. , . ^ , , 



m sunk, or%annon-ione, is a long bone having two head, 

 the upper being flat, with depressions eovrespoiKUng wi h the 

 under side of the lower row of knee-boncs. The body or sliatt 

 "s ounded and smooth before, and flat behind. The lower 

 LTh the form of a double pnlley, a prominent ridge run- 

 n r^frlm before backward, and two others, one at each side. 

 Thi°s one, thus marked, forms, with the head of the pastern- 

 bone, a p^-fect hinge-joint, allowing of free motion backward 



^"Tl:"^;£i - S'small bones situated at the sides, but 

 . toiSfbaek of the cannon-bone. The splint-bone has one 



