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The Collaborative International Dictionary
small pastern bone

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.

    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.

  2. A shackle for horses while pasturing.
    --Knight.

  3. A patten. [Obs.]
    --Dryden.

Usage examples of "small pastern bone".

He pointed out the small pastern bone, the navicular, which can easily be chipped enough to lame a horse so badly it has to be put down.