LATERAL EXTENSOR TENDON

The LET assists the common extensor tendon in extending the front leg and the long extensor tendon in extending the hind end. The LET is anatomically different in the front and hind limbs of the horse. In the front limb, the LET runs separately but parallel to the CDET and inserts on the upper end of the outside surface of the long pastern bone just below the fetlock joint. In the hind limb, the LET may vary, but generally joins the LEDT just below the hock. Occasionally it will form an attachment on the long pastern bone. Horses with the condition known as "stringhalt" will sometimes have that portion of the LET which passes over the hock surgically removed.