The Collaborative International Dictionary
Pastern joint
Pastern \Pas"tern\, n. [Of. pasturon, F. p[^a]turon, fr. OF. pasture a tether, for beasts while pasturing; prop., a pasturing. See Pasture.]
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The part of the foot of the horse, and allied animals, between the fetlock and the coffin joint. See Illust. of Horse.
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.
Pastern joint, the joint in the hoof of the horse, and allied animals, between the great and small pastern bones.
A shackle for horses while pasturing.
--Knight.A patten. [Obs.]
--Dryden.