CUT OF THE LEG. 



connected tog-other by bone instead of ligament, and thence results what is 

 called an anchylosed or fixed joint. Its motion is lost. From this joint 

 the disease proceeds to the cartilages of the foot, and to' the union between 

 the lower pastern, and the coffin and navicular bones ; and the motion of 

 these parts likewise is impeded or lost, and the whole of this part of the foot 

 becomes one mass of spongy bone. From this disposition to spread, (and 

 at first round the pastern-joint, which is situated just above the coronet,) 

 this disease has acquired the name of ringbone. 



CUT OF THE LEG. 



This cut will show the situation and 

 appearance of this and some other de- 

 fects of the fore-leg. a will represent 

 the capped hock or enlargement of 

 the joint of the elbow ; 6 the tying-in 

 of the leg below the knee; c the 

 most fi^equent situation of splint on 

 the side of the shank-bone, and not 

 producing lameness after its first form- 

 ation, because it does not interfere 

 with the motion of the knee, or injure 

 the suspensory ligament, d is the si- 

 tuation and appearance of the enlarge- 

 ment accompanying sprain of the back- 

 sinews. This, however, is an aggravated 

 case; and the sprain may be great, and 

 the lameness distressing, without all 

 this swelling. e is the place of wind- 

 gall. / gives the appearance of ring- 

 bone, when it first appears on the side 

 of the pastern, about the joint, and 

 where there is naturally some prominence 

 of bone ; g is the situation of sand-crack 

 in the fore-leg. h the situation of the 

 moUenders. 



Ringbone is one of the most serious 

 lamenesses with which the horse can 

 be afflicted. It is unsoundness when 

 existing in the slightest degree, for the 

 lateral enlargement may speedily extend ; 

 and when the bony deposit begins to 

 spread, the disease is incurable. 



The fore-legs, when viewed in front, 

 should be widest at the chest, and should 

 gradually approach to each other as we 

 descend towards the fetlock. The 

 degree of width must depend on the 

 purpose for whicli the horse is wanted. 

 The legs of a heavy draught-horse can. 

 scarcely be too far apart. His rounded 

 chest enables him to throw more weight 

 into the collar ; and being seldom, if ever 

 required for speed, he wants not that oc- 

 casionally hicreased expansion of chest 

 which the circular form is not calcu- 

 lated to give. A himter, a hackney, and 

 a coach-horse^ should have sufficient 



