Parts Of The Horse - Detailed Anatomy Page 6
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204 - H H o r s e P r o j e c t M a n u a l - Parts of the Horse
Tendons Tendons are connective tissue that attach muscle to another
Bones, ligaments and tendons
body part, usually bone. The tendons may be short (as at the shoulder
together affect the horse’s
blade) or long (as in the legs).
ability to move and to prevent
injury.
The Frontquarters
The front legs of the horse carry 60 to 65 per cent of the weight of the
horse. The legs of the horse are interesting because there are no muscles
below the knees in the lower leg, only tendons, ligaments and bone.
Damage to ligaments and tendons are most likely to occur in the lower
Parts of
leg because they take the most force during movement. All movement of
a Horse
the lower leg is done by ligaments and tendons.
Pastern
The pastern is made up of:
A.
Long Pastern Bone
B.
Short Pastern Bone
C.
Suspensory Ligament
D.
Superficial Flexor Tendon
The suspensory ligament system is attached to the navicular bone at the
back of the foot, runs up the back of the long and
short pastern bones and controls extension of the
pastern. The suspensory ligament and flexor tendon
support the angle of the pastern and together they
stretch and contract as the horse moves.
The normal working condition of the ligament and
tendon are affected by the angle that the hoof is
trimmed. Improper trimming can change the hoof
angle causing tendons and ligaments to stretch or
contract further than normal. If the slope is
excessive, the flexor tendon will stretch. If the
pastern is too upright the two joints will be under
stress. This puts pressure on the cartilage between
the bones, increasing the risk of fractures and
arthritis. Generally, trim the hoof so that its angle
matches the pastern angle.
Ligaments in the leg may be pulled. Stretching the
flexor tendon and/or the tendon sheath is common
in horses with long sloping pasterns, long toes and
from work on soft, heavy ground or slippery footing.
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