THE PASTERNS. 25l 



The length and obliquity of the pastern vary, we have said, in he ditFer- 

 ent breeds of horses, and in proportion to the length and slanting diiection 

 of the pastern is the springiness of the horse and the easiness of his paces. 

 The pastern must be long in proportion to its obliquity, or the fetlock would 

 be too close to the ground, and, in rapid action, would come violently upon 

 it. It is necessary that the fetlock should be elevated a certain distance 

 from the ground, and this may be effected either by a short and upright 

 or a long and slanting pastern. In proportion as tiie pastern is oblique or 

 slanting, two consequences will follow : less weight will be tlirown on the pas- 

 tern and more on the sessamoid, and, in that proportion, jar or concussion 

 will be prevented ; and the jar of the weight which is thrown on the pastern 

 will be lessened by the very obliquity of the bones, agreeably to what we 

 have already stated of the angular construction of the limbs. 



Every advantage has, however, to a certain extent, its corresponding dis- 

 advantages. In proportion to the obliquity, or slanting of the pastern, will 

 be the stress on the fetlock-joint, and, therefore, the liability of that joint to 

 injury and strain; and also the liability to "sprain of the back-sinews," 

 from the increased action and play of the flexor tendons ; and likewise to 

 injuries of the pastern-joints, for the ligaments will be weak in proportion 

 to their length. The long and slanting pastern is an excellence in the race- 

 horse, from the springiness of action and greater extent of stride by which 

 it is accompanied. A less degree of it is necessary in the hunter, who is 

 to unite continuance of exertion with ease of pace, and who, in his leaps, 

 requires almost as much springiness as the race-horse; but, for the wear 

 and tear of the hackney, a still less degree of obliquity should be found. 

 There should be sufficient to give pleasantness of going, but not enough to 

 endanger continuance and strength. Experience among horses will alone 

 point out the most advantageous direction of the pastern for the purpose 

 required ; but the slightest observation will prove the necessity of consider- 

 able variety in the structure of this part. Let the reader imagine the heavy 

 dray-horse, with his short and upright pasterns, contending in the race; or 

 the race-horse, with his long and weak pasterns, endeavouring to dig his toe 

 into the ground to move some heavy weight. The concussion is little in a 

 cart-horse, because his movements are slow, and therefore the upright and 

 strong pastern is given to him, which he can force into the ground, and on 

 which he can throw the whole of his immense weight. The oblique pas- 

 tern is given to the race-horse, because that alone is compatible with extent 

 of stride and great speed. Except a horse for general purposes, and par- 

 ticularly for riding, be very hardly used, a little too much obliquity is a far 

 less evil than a pastern too upright. The upright pastern is unsafe. The 

 very circumstance which enables the dray-horse to throw himself into his 

 collar, throws the riding-horse down ; and while the jolting of the upright 

 pastern is an insufferable nuisance to the rider, it is injurious to the horse, 

 and produces many diseases in the feet and legs. A riding-horse, with 

 upright pasterns, will soon begin to knuckle over, even with ordinary work ; 

 and this will be almost invariably followed by ringbone, ossification of the 

 cartilages, and contracted feet. 



they are called into sudden and forcible action. The suspensory ligament, by its reaction, 

 instantaneously after extension, aids the flexor-muscles in bending- the pastern-joints. 

 The astonishing activity and expedition displayed in the movementa of tlie race-horse at 

 speed, seem to be referable, in part, to the promptitude with which tlie suspensory liga 

 ment can act before the flexor-muscles are duly prepared; tlie latter, we should eay, 

 tatcli, as it were, and then direct the limb first snatched from the ground by the powers 

 uf elasticity. — PercivaU'a Lectures on the Veterinary Art, vol. i. p. 334. 



