coffin bone

American  

noun

1. the terminal phalanx in the foot of the horse and allied animals, enclosed in the hoof.

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coffin bone British  

noun

1. the terminal phalangeal bone inside the hoof of the horse and similar animals

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Etymology

Origin of coffin bone

First recorded in 1710–20

Example Sentences

The tissue between the hoof and the coffin bone, the lowest bone in a horse, becomes inflamed and in the some cases the two parts separate.

From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 9, 2023

“If this horse keeps working, his coffin bone will rotate until it punctures his sole, and then you’ll lose him,” I say unequivocally.

From "Water for Elephants" by Sara Gruen

“It’s when the connective tissues between the hoof and the coffin bone are compromised and the coffin bone rotates toward the sole of the hoof.”

From "Water for Elephants" by Sara Gruen

Under the descent of the coffin bone the horny sole sinks a little; that is, the arch of the sole around the point of the frog and the wings of the sole become somewhat flattened.

From Special Report on Diseases of the Horse by Michener, Charles B.

A small accessory bone, the navicular, or "shuttle," bone, lies crosswise in the foot between the wings of the coffin bone and forms a part of the joint surface of the latter.

From Special Report on Diseases of the Horse by Michener, Charles B.