from
The 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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