From the
1755 edition of
Samuel Johnson's
Dictionary :
PA'STERN n. s. [pasturon, French.]
- The knee of a horse.
I will not change my horse with any that treads on four pasterns.
--- Shakespeare's Henry V.
The colt that for a stallion is design'd,
Upright he walks on pasterns firm and straight,
His motions easy, prancing in his gait.
--- Dryden.
Being heavy, he should not tread stiff, but have a pastern made him, to break the force of his weight : by this his body hangs on the hoof, as a coach doth by the leathers.
--- Grew.
-
The legs of a human creature in contempt.
So straight she walk'd, and on her pasterns high.
If seeing her behind, he lik'd her pace,
Now turning short, he better lik'd her face.
--- Dryden