pastern

[ pas-tern ]

noun

1. the part of the foot of a horse, cow, etc., between the fetlock and the hoof.
2. either of the two bones of this part, the upper or first phalanx great pastern bone,orfetter bone and the lower or second phalanx small pastern bone, between which is a joint pastern joint.

pastern

/ ˈpæstən /

noun

1. the part of a horse's foot between the fetlock and the hoof
2. Also calledfetter bone either of the two bones that constitute this part

Word History and Origins

Origin of pastern¹

First recorded in 1300–50; Middle English pastron “shackle,” probably same word as Middle French pasturon, pastern, from unattested Vulgar Latin pastōria “herding” + Middle French -on noun suffix; pastor, -ia

Word History and Origins

Origin of pastern¹

C14: from Old French pasturon, from pasture a hobble, from Latin pāstōrius of a shepherd, from pastor

Example Sentences

On Saturday morning, Battle of Midway suffered a fracture of his hind pastern during a timed workout.

From Los Angeles Times

Racing Victoria said the horse was spooked by a flag waved by a person in the crowd and, in retreating, kicked out and fractured a pastern bone in its hind leg on a fence.

From Washington Times

Beholder returned for the first time since June 7 after getting a cut on her left hind pastern in a race on that day’s Belmont Stakes undercard.

From Washington Times

Good horse with regular markings, like a left hind white pastern extending on back of ankle.

From New York Times

To be sure, how neat she steps upon her pasterns!

From Project Gutenberg