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

“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

“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

This is the most serious form of corns, for the reason that it may induce gangrene of the plantar cushion, cartilaginous quittor, or caries of the coffin bone.

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

In rare cases the coffin bone may be involved in the injury and a small portion of it may become carious.

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