pastern joint

1 definition found

pastern joint - Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48 :

  Pastern \Pas"tern\, n. [Of. pasturon, F. p[^a]turon, fr. OF.
     pasture a tether, for beasts while pasturing; prop., a
     pasturing. See Pasture.]
     1. The part of the foot of the horse, and allied animals,
        between the fetlock and the coffin joint. See Illust. of
        Horse.
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     Note: The upper bone, or phalanx, of the foot is called the
           great pastern bone; the second, the small pastern bone
           ; and the third, in the hoof, the coffin bone.
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     Pastern joint, the joint in the hoof of the horse, and
        allied animals, between the great and small pastern bones.
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     2. A shackle for horses while pasturing. --Knight.
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     3. A patten. [Obs.] --Dryden.
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