Point of the shoulder….this is below the shoulder joint at the bottom-end of the of the subclavian and supraspinatus muscles. The outer-most point of the humerus where you can feel the edge of the humerus bone. The stifle is an essential part of the horse’s anatomy that contributes to its overall function and movement. Animal Body Parts Vocabulary A horse’s legs are part of the reason a horse can run at nearly 27 miles per hour and all horses have four basic gaits: walk, trot or jog, canter or lope, and the gallop. Interestingly, horses travel on the tips of their toes because the hoof of a horse is similar to a fingertip or toe tip of a human, but much stronger. The hooves also bear the animal’s weight and the old adage, “no hoof, no horse,”[7] shows how important a good hoof is for a horse. To make sure the hooves are well cared for, most people developed routines established for a farrier to pare or trim them. Additionally, similar to the face, unique markings on a horse’s legs can be used to identify it. Leg markings include: Do horse shoes hurt horses? It’s a logical question with a more complicated answer. Learn how hoof maintenance and shoeing can help (not hurt) the horse.

Tendons are easily damaged if placed under too much strain, which can result in a painful, and possibly career-ending, injury. Tendinitis is most commonly seen in high performance horses that gallop or jump. When a tendon is damaged the healing process is slow because tendons have a poor blood supply, reducing the availability of nutrients and oxygen to the tendon. Once a tendon is damaged the tendon will always be weaker, because the collagen fibres tend to line up in random arrangements instead of the stronger linear pattern. Scar tissue within the tendon decreases the overall elasticity in the damaged section of the tendon as well, causing an increase in strain on adjacent uninjured tissue. Tail – Both the bone structure and hair on the hind end of the horse. Tails are (like manes) treated and styled differently depending on breed and discipline. Tails are also vital in horses deflecting insects and displaying body language. Understanding Colic In Horses: Causes, Diagnosis, Treatment, And Prevention - Complete Horse Guide". 6 August 2023 . Retrieved 7 August 2023. Andrews, F. M.; Buchanan, B. R.; Elliot, S. B.; Clariday, N. A.; Edwards, L. H. (2005). "Gastric ulcers in horses". J. Anim. Sci. 83 (13): E18–E21. Archived from the original on 23 February 2013. Knee – The forelimb joint that connects the upper and lower areas of the front leg. This joint consists of many small bones and is very similar in structure to the human wrist. There are no muscles on the horse’s front leg below this joint. Below the knee, the horse’s leg consists of soft tissue and bone.

The cecum is the first section of the large intestine. It is also known as the "water gut" or "hind gut". It is a cul-de-sac pouch, [16] about 1.2m (4ft) long that holds 26 to 30L (7 to 8USgal). It contains bacteria that digest cellulose plant fiber through fermentation. [17] These bacteria feed upon chyme digestive, and also produce certain fat-soluble vitamins which are absorbed by the horse. [14] The reason horses must have their diets changed slowly is so the bacteria in the cecum are able to modify and adapt to the different chemical structure of new feedstuffs. [16] Too abrupt a change in diet can cause colic, which is a broad term used to describe abdominal pain in horses, much like a stomachache in humans. But unlike our occasional tummy upsets, colic in horses can have a myriad of causes and severities, ranging from mild gas buildup to serious intestinal obstructions [18] when the new food is not properly digested. We need a good knowledge of the points of the horse so we know what anatomical region we are talking about. It is all about discussing some of the health issues of the horse. Splints: bones found on each of the legs, on either side of the cannon bone (8 total); partially vestigial, these bones support the corresponding carpal bones in the forelimb, and the corresponding tarsal bones in the hindlimb; [4] anatomically referred to as Metacarpal/ Metatarsal II (on the medial aspect (inside)) and IV (on the lateral aspect (outside)) Flank: where the hind legs and the barrel meet, specifically the area right behind the rib cage and in front of the stifle joint Level with the top of the chestnut on the front leg: the chestnut resides a few inches above the knee

Mina C G Davies Morel (5 June 2015). Equine Reproductive Physiology, Breeding and Stud Management, 4th Edition. CABI. ISBN 978-1-78064-442-4. Cook FRCVS PhD, Robert (2008), Shoeing your horse is like foot binding your daughter, Veterinary Times, p.8, archived from the original (PDF) on 13 August 2017 , retrieved 23 August 2011 Shoulder: made up of the scapula and associated muscles, runs from the withers to the point of shoulder (the joint at the front of the chest, i.e. the glenoid); the angle of the shoulder has a great effect on the horse's movement and jumping ability, and is an important aspect of equine conformation How much do you know about this equine dietary staple? Do you know what makes a good bale or how much you should give your horse? Do horses really need hay?

Juan C. Samper (1 January 2009). Equine Breeding Management and Artificial Insemination. Elsevier Health Sciences. ISBN 978-1-4160-5234-0. Learn different cat parts, goat body parts, parts of a cow and parts of a horse with American English pronunciation.

Forearm – The area of muscle that extends down from the bottom of the horse’s shoulder to its knee. Chestnut….these are what are called ‘horny growths’ on the insides of the leg, usually halfway down inside the leg or forearm. Elbow – The bony point on the rear side of the front leg near the girth on the bottom side of the shoulder. Point of Shoulder– The bony foremost location on the horse’s shoulder. This location is important when measuring for blankets or other equine outerwear. Point of Hip– The bony protrusion above the flank and below the croup. This will often be the widest part of the body.Throatlatch [5] [6] [7] [8] [9] [10] (also, throttle, throatlash [ citation needed], throat [11]): the point at which the windpipe meets the head at the underside of the jaw, [3] corresponding to where the eponymous part of a bridle goes. [12] a b Hartley, C; Grundon, RA (2016). "Chapter 5: Diseases and surgery of the globe and orbit". In Gilger, BC (ed.). Equine Ophthalmology (3rded.). John Wiley & Sons. p.151. ISBN 9781119047742. Elbow: The joint of the front leg at the point where the belly of the horse meets the leg. Homologous to the elbow in humans Hip….you can feel where the point of the hip is by the hardness of the edge of the bone protruding outwards. The hip is also known as the tuber coxae.

Flank – Where the barrel meets the horse’s hind leg. Often a change in the direction of the hair can be seen here. This area is especially sensitive on most horses. The Stallion: Breeding Soundness Examination & Reproductive Anatomy". University of Wisconsin-Madison. Archived from the original on 16 July 2007 . Retrieved 7 July 2007. There are four main areas to focus on to ensure a good quality of life for your horse: Nutrition, dental care, exercise, and veterinary care. Getty (1975)"Equine Osteology" in Sisson and Grossman's The Anatomy of the Domestic Animals Volume 1", Sunders, ISBN 0-7216-4102-4 Horses, as a species, don’t eat meat. While there have been many cases of horses eating animals and animal products, find out why it’s not the norm.Loin: the area right behind the saddle, going from the last rib to the croup, anatomically approximate to the lumbar spine Chin – The soft rounded portion of the horse’s face below their mouth. This is often referred to in fitting bridles and curb straps. Pavord, Tony; Pavord, Marcy (2007). Complete Equine Veterinary Manual. David & Charles. ISBN 978-0715318836. a b c d e f g h Giffen, James M.; Gore, Tom (1998) [1989]. Horse Owner's Veterinary Handbook (2nded.). New York: Howell Book House. ISBN 0-87605-606-0. Horses have the largest eyes of all land mammals and as their eyes sit on the sides of their heads, they have more than 350 degrees of vision, with a blind spot located at the front of their foreheads. With such wide, circular vision, a horse can tell if an animal is sneaking up behind them, and, on windy days, they are often skittish because too many things are swaying and blowing in the wind. Even when a horse is grazing his panoramic monocular vision is at work. Moreover, because horses have dichromatic vision, they see shades of red as green. They also have and superb daytime and nighttime vision. In the nineteenth century it was noted that a horse’s eyes and ears moved together, and “therefore will always be directed wherever the horse’s attention is attracted,”[6] which you can note if you watch a horse. When a sound or sight captures their attention, they will stop what they are doing, lift their head to get a better look, and move their ears towards the sound.