1 definition found for 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.