THE FOOT OF THE HORSE. 63 



BRIEF OUTLINE OF ANATOMY OF THE FOOT. 



Adapted from the Subject-matter of this Chapter. 



It should be studied by all who wish to get a brief, con- 

 nected view of the principal parts and practical workings of the 

 locomotory apparatus of the horse. 



Q. 1. What constitutes the apparatus of locomotion ? 



A, The bones and muscles co-operating with the vital or- 

 ganism. 



Q. 2. What does the " foot " or " digital region " imply ? 



A. It includes the ankle from the fetlock down, comprised 

 in a single hoof. 



Q. 3. What bones enter into its formation ? 



A. The lower end of the cannon, the two sesamoids, upper 

 and lower pasterns ; navicular and coffin-bones form the skele- 

 ton on which the other structures are built. 



Q. 4. How do these co-operate ? 



A. They concur to form joints, which provide for the nec- 

 essary motion. (For details, see Figs. 3 to 5.) 



Q. 5. Name the joints of the foot or digit. 



A. There are three of them — the fetlock, pastern, and coffin 

 joints, made by the union of two or more bones moving one 

 upon the other. 



Q. 6. What completes the jointed processes ? 



A. They are held together by ligaments, and are lubricated 

 by the synovial fluid secreted by the inclosing membrane. 



Q. 7. What further of their work ? 



A. That they are of special importance to the value of the 

 animal, and are the parts most subject to impairment from in- 

 jury or disease. 



Q. 8. What muscles co-operate in the foot action ? 



A. The two principal muscles that flex or bend the foot are 



