What is the pastern of a horse?
The pastern is the part of a horse's limb between the fetlock and the hoof, crucial for shock absorption.
Detailed explanation
The pastern is the segment of the limb located between the fetlock joint and the coronary band of the hoof. It functions as a natural shock absorber: its angle and inclination influence how the horse absorbs impact when moving. A pastern that is too straight transmits more vibration and predisposes the horse to joint problems; one that is excessively long and sloped overloads the tendons. The conformation of the pastern is one of the points evaluated when assessing a horse.
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