SUSPENSOEY LIGAMENT. 



29 



When the suspensory ligament is in a sound condition, it will 

 feel, if we run our hand over it, when the foot is on the ground, 

 hard and tense like a tightly-strung violin string. If its strength 

 has been impaired by a sprain, it will feel comparatively soft, 

 and will convey the impression that it has lost to some extent its 

 fibrous character. In case of doubt, a comparison with a leg which 



..PerforatiLS tendon 

 PerfprartL tendon 

 Chjtch ItgameiiL 



.. Susp.€nsory lu^amerit 



"■. Siisp.ensory ligament 

 Berrotnns Undnrv 



Pedal bone or coffin bone 



Fig. 5. — Diagram of bones, tendons, and ligaments of near fore leg. 



we know to be sound will greatly help us in drawing a correct con- 

 clusion. 



The tendons and ligaments of some legs, particularly those of 

 underbred horses, are, however, often covered with an unusually 

 large amount of loose tissue, which causes the legs to have a more 

 or less " filled " appearance, though without affecting their capacity 

 for standing work. The apparent " cleanness " due to absorption 

 consequent on old age, which many stale worn-out legs exhibit. 



