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VETERINARY PHYSIOLOGY 



The bars, which are also elastic, receive part of the weight 

 of the animal. The posterior part of the foot which first 

 comes to the ground and. receives the impact is thus well 

 adapted for the absorption and dissipation of shock. 



If the toe of the foot were provided with these elastic 

 yielding structures the propulsive force would be dissipated. 



Third metacarpal bone 



Sesamoid 



First plialanx 



Second phalanx 



Cartilage of third phalanx 



Line of border of hoof 



esamoid 



Third phalanx 



Fig. 117. — Lateral Aspect of the Phalanges and the Cartilage of the 

 Third Phalanx. (Bradley.) 



Rigidity is required to transmit the force from the toe which 

 acts as the fulcrum. In the toe, therefore, the matrix of 

 the hoof is directly adherent to the bone, and the horny 

 part of the hoof is thicker and less elastic than at the heel, 

 so that the force of the thrust with the toe is passed direct 

 from the hoof to the bony column of the leg. 



