Category:Pastern

Pas"tern, n. Etym: [of. pasturon, f. pâturon, 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.