ILLUSTRATED DESCRIPTION. 



49 



Fig. 6. 



Vertical Section of the Foot 

 AND Lower Leg. 



Fiss. 4 and 5, taken in connec- 

 tion, will serve to give the reader still 

 more definite knowledge than that 

 conveyed by the skeleton of the rela- 

 tive situation of the different parts of 

 the horse's foot, and the terms applied 

 to each. The bones exhibited in the 

 front and back Adew, Fig. 4, are : c, c 

 — The coffin bone, or first bone of the 

 leg. d — The sessamoid bone, b, b 

 — The small pastern, a, a — ^The large 

 pastern. 



The parts exhibited by Fig. 6 are : 

 a — The large metacarpal or cannon 

 bone, b — The os suffraginis, or large 

 pastern bone. c — One of the ses- 

 samoid bones, d — The os coronse, or 

 small pastern bone, e — The navic- 

 ular bone. f — The os pedis, or cof- 

 fin bone, g, g, g — The flexor perfor- 



ans, or penetrating tendon, h, h — The flexor perforatus, or penetrated 

 tendon, i — The extensor tendon, j — The suspensory ligament, k, k — 

 The capsular ligament, or membraneous elastic bag surrounding the joint. 

 1 — The fetlock joint, m — The pastern joint, n — The coffin joint, o — 

 Tlie horny crust, p, p — The horny sole, q — The frog. r. — The sensible 

 laminge. t — The sensible frog, u — The cushion. v — The navicular 

 joint. ,.^ 



It will be observed that the parts exhibited by Fig. 5 are plainly named on 

 the engraving. Every thoughtful reader will observe further that these parts 

 of the horse are most wonderfully put together. The delicate and well- 

 adapted mechanism is not surpassed by that of any mechanical combination 

 ever produced. The entire structure is one that secures the utmost elasticity 

 and freedom of movement, with the immense strength needed in the usual work 

 of the horse. An understanding of this must go far toward compelling care 

 »nd attention in all that pertains to the foot of the animal. Shoeing, and 

 especially service on rough, stony places, should be subjects of constant regard. 

 The next cut furnishes a beautiful and comprehensive view of the terms 

 applied to the various parts of the animal, and it can but prove of great 

 use to those who would not only "talk horse" themselves, but understand 

 the talk of others — especially of veterinary writers when treating of dis- 

 orders, their location, and the proper means for their relief. As these parts 

 are known among all veterinary writers of any prominence, by the names ifr 



