HORSESHOEING. 



33 



dons is, therefore, absolutely necessary to the horseshoer. Both 

 flexor tendons are embraced and held in place by ligaments and 

 fascia passing out from the phalanges (Figs. 16, d', and 20, e,/). 

 The extensor and flexor tendons essentially contribute to the 

 strong union of the phalangeal bones, and especially to the sup- 

 port and stability of the fetlock-joint. The gliding of the tendons 

 is made easy by the secretion of a lubricating fluid, called synovia, 

 from the inner surface of the sheaths which surround them. In 

 thin-skinned, well-bred horses with sound limbs one can not only 

 distinctly feel the tendons through the skin, but can see their out- 

 line. When the tendons and hones are free from all inflammatory 

 thickenings, and the tendon sheaths are not visibly distended, we say 

 that the leg is " clean." 



D. The Elastic Parts of the Foot. 



All bodies which under pressure or traction change their form, 

 but return again to their original shape as soon as the press- 

 ure or traction ceases, are 

 called elastic or springy. 

 Nearly all parts of the 

 horse's foot, except the 

 bones, possess more or 

 less elasticity. The lat- 

 eral cartilages and the 

 plantar cushion are elastic 

 to a high degree, but the 

 coronary band, the lamince, 

 the articular cartilage, 



J 4.1, 1^ IT V>nY rvr I^te'it forefoot viewed from the external side : A, os 



and tne norny UOX ui (.o^onse; 5, os pedis; C, external lateral cartilage; a, 



hoof are less elastic. This lateral peaal ligament ; b, ligament uniting the lateral 



■^ , . ,. cartilage with the OS coronse ; c, apoSfcrosis joining lat- 



property or CharaCtenStlC g^^j cartilage and os pedis. 



is possessed by the re- 

 spective parts of the foot in accordance with their function, 

 location, and structure. 



The two lateral cartilages (Fig. 17, C) are irregular, quad- 



3 



