Welcome to the Equestrian Outreach Horse Parts Illustration Page

Equine Anatomy Overview

The specie Equid and specifically horses are arguably a marvel of adaptation. When the climate of prehistoric earth changed, entire species; unable to adapt became extinct. Equid’s, in a relatively short amount of time, adapted to survive. Unfortunately, many of those adaptations although aiding in the Equine’s survival came with a cost; some of which are unhealthy for horses and some unhealthy for equestrians. Understanding the Equine anatomy is a fundamental requirement to a safe and productive relationship with horses.

Equine - Body Parts (External Anatomy)

Back: The back is the body area where the saddle is placed. The back begins at the end of the withers, extends to the last thoracic vertebrae. Generally the back includes the loin or "coupling," although technically this is an incorrect usage of the term.
Barrel: The barrel isthe main body area of the horse, enclosing the rib cage and the major internal organs.
Cannon: or Cannon Bone: The Cannon is the area between the knee or hock and the fetlock joint, sometimes called the "shin" of the horse, though technically it is the third metacarpal.
Chestnut or Night Eye: The chestnut is a callosity on the inside of each leg and is a vestigial (Biological ruminant of the first toe’s toenail).
Chin Groove: The part of the horse's head behind the lower lip and chin. (The area that dips down slightly on the lower jaw). Area where the curb chain of certain bits is fastened.
Coupling or Loin: The coupling is the area right behind the saddle, going from the last rib of the horse to the croup. Anatomically approximate to the lumbar spine.
Coronet or Coronary Band: The coronet is a ring of soft tissue just above the horny hoof that blends into the skin of the leg.
Crest: The crest is upper portion of the neck where the mane grows.
Croup: The croup is the topline of the horse's hindquarters, beginning at the hip, extending proximate to the sacral vertebrae and stopping at the dock of the tail (where the coccygeal vertebrae begin). often referred to as the "rump."
Dock: The dock is the point where the tail connects to the rear of the horse.
Elbow: The joint of the front leg at the point where the belly of the horse meets the leg. The equine elbow is homologous (Similarity between characteristics) to the elbow in humans.
Ergot: a callosity on the back of the fetlock.
Fetlock: The fetlock is often; incorrectly referred to as the "ankle" of the horse. though it is not the same skeletal structure as an ankle in humans. Known to anatomists as the metacarpophalangeal (front leg joint) or metacarpophalangeal hind leg joint; homologous to the "ball" of the foot or the metacarpophalangeal joints of the fingers in humans.
Flank: The Flank is where the hind legs and the barrel of the horse meet, specifically the area right behind the rib cage and in front of the stifle joint.
Forearm: The forearm is the area of the front leg between the knee and elbow. The forearm consists of the fused radius and ulna, and all the tissue around these bones. The anatomically correct name is ‘antebrachium’ which means forearm.
Forelock: The forelock is the continuation of the mane, which hangs from between the ears down onto the forehead of the horse.
Frog: The frog is a highly elastic wedge-shaped mass on the underside of the hoof, which normally makes contact with the ground with every stride. The frog supports both the locomotion and circulation of the horse.
Gaskin: The gaskin is the large muscle on the hind leg, just above the hock, below the stifle. The gaskin is homologous (Similarity between characteristics) to the calf of a human.
Girth or Heart Girth: The girthisthe body area right behind the elbow of the horse, where the Girth (English) or Cinch (Western) of the saddle would go, this area should be where the barrel is at its greatest diameter in a properly-conditioned horse that is not pregnant or obese.
Hindquarters: The Hind Quarters are the large, muscular area of the hind legs, above the stifle and behind the barrel of the horse.
Hock: The hock is the *tarsus of the horse (hind limb is homologous (Similarity between characteristics) to the human ankle and heel), the large joint on the hind leg. (*The tarsus is the cluster of bones in the foot between the tibia and fibula and the metatarsus.)
Hoof: The hoof is the foot of the horse. The hoof wall; which is made of keratins (Keratins are a family of fibrous structural proteins), is the tough outside covering of the hoof that comes into contact with the ground. The hoof wall is primarily a much larger and stronger version of the human fingernail.
Jugular Groove: The jugular groove is the line of indentation on the lower portion of the neck, can be seen from either side, just above the windpipe.
Knee: The knee is the carpus of the horse, the large joint in the front legs, above the cannon bone. (The knee is homologous (Similarity between characteristics) to the equivalent to the human wrist)
Loin or Coupling: The coupling is the body area right behind the saddle, going from the last rib of the horse to the croup. Anatomically approximate to the lumbar spine.
Mane: The mane is the hair growing from the crest or dorsal ridge of the neck. The mane is relatively coarse hair and its treatment is a part of riding tradition. The mane’s length and on which side it is parted; lying on either the left or right side of the neck depends on the riding discipline or riding style. A general rule is that Western horse owner’s part to lay on the left side and ‘English’ horse owner’s part to lay on the right side.
Muzzle: The muzzle consists of the chin, mouth, and nostrils of the horse's face.
Pastern: The pastern is a leg connection between the coronet and the fetlock and is made up of the middle and proximal phalanx.
Poll: commonly refers to the poll joint at the beginning of the horse's neck, immediately behind the ears, a slight depression at the joint where the atlas (Also called C1 and is first vertebra below the head) meets the occipital crest. Anatomically, the occipital crest itself is the "poll."
Splints: Splints are 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 hind limb. Anatomically referred to as the Second Metacarpal/Metatarsal (on the medial aspect (inside)) and IV (on the lateral aspect (outside)).
Shoulder: A horse’s shoulder is made up of the scapula and associated muscles and runs from the withers to the point of shoulder (the joint at the front of the chest). The angle of the shoulder has a great affect on the horse's movement and jumping ability, and is an important aspect of equine conformation.
Stifle: Corresponds to the knee of a human, consists of the articulation between femur and tibia, as well as the articulation between patella and femur.
Tail: The tail has two parts Generally considered the living part; which consists of the coccygeal vertebrae, muscles, and ligaments) and the long tail hairs which grow from the living part of the tail.
Throatlatch: The throatlatch is the point at which the windpipe meets the head at the underside of the jaw.
Withers: The withers are the highest point of the barrel of the horse. They start at the thoracic vertebrae, the point just above the tops of the shoulder blades. Seen best with horse standing square and head slightly lowered. The height of the horse is measured at the withers in hands (One hand equals 4 inches or 10.16 centimeters).