26 



HORSES. 



to the side and back of knee or leg, and the corresponding 

 structures in the hind limb, that is, of course below the hock, are 

 frequent subjects of sprain. Those passing towards the front of 

 the limb are the extensors, and are seldom sprained in comparison 

 with the back tendons — as the ligaments, as well as tendons, are 

 commonly called. The two back tendons are called pevfovans 

 and perforates, because at the back of the fetlock one opens and 



The centre block shows Back View of the Large and Small Metacarpal Bones. 



2. Metacarpus magnus. 



3. The surfaces above articulate with the lower carpal bones. 



4. 4. External and internal small metacarpal bones. 



5. 5. Condyloid surfaces articulating with corresponding ones on the upper 



extremity of the os suffraginis. 



6. Eminence articulating with a corresponding depression on the upper 



extremity of the os suffraginis. 



the other passes through it. The perforatus tendon, which is 

 the posterior one, is joined two or three inches below and behind 

 the knee-joint by a very powerful ligament known as the check- 

 ligament — the presence of this Hgament explains the fact why 

 a horse can go to sleep standing. The suspensory ligament is 

 a little lower down. The fetlock, like the knee, is bound down 

 with ligamentous bands of great strength ; these are seldom the 

 seat of sprain, but the sheaths of the tendons which pass over 

 the fetlock joint are often in need of treatment. 



