Equine Anatomy

Equine Science IScott Robison

Knightdale High School

Major External Parts

• Barrel- central region from the back to the abdomen

• Corenet- dividing line between the hoof and the leg (in coronary band)

• Fetlock- joint connecting the cannon and the pastern above the hoof

• Flank- fleshy side between the ribs and hip

Major External Parts #2

• Forelock- lock of hair falling forward over the face

• Heart Girth (Girth)- circumference of the chest just behind the withers and in front of the back

• Hock- large joint half-way up the hind leg of the horse

• Mane- long hair on top of the neck

Major External Parts #3

• Muzzle- lower end of the nose which includes nostrils, lips, and chin

• Pastern- part of the leg between the fetlock joint and the coronary band

• Poll- top part of the head between ears

• Shoulder- part extending to the base of the neck that connects the forelimbs to the body

Major External Parts #4

• Stifle- knee-like joint above the hock in the hind leg

• Thigh- part of the hindquarter between the stifle and the rump (croup)

• Withers- highest part of the back located at the base of the neck

• Croup- rump/hip area

External Anatomy Terms

• The hip area is also called the hindquarter

• The topline is the back and loin from the withers to the croup.

• The topline is also referred to as the length of the back

• The underline is the area from the elbow to the stifle

Muscular System

• Consists of all of the muscles in the body of the horse

• Muscles are supported by the skeletal system

• Muscles are attached to bones by tendons

• Muscles move bones by contracting and relaxing

Tendons

• Connect bones to muscles

• Encased in thin, fibrous sheets called tendon sheaths

• Tendon sheaths lubricate the tendon so they move more freely

Warning: Graphic image on next slide

Ideal Muscles

• Neck muscles should be long, smooth and flat– Affect the ease and freedom of movement of the

forelegs

• Forearm muscles should be long, lean and attach to the bone close to the knee– Allow long strides

• Long, tapered muscles in the hindquarter provide speed

• Bulging muscles in the hindquarter provide more power

Swayback

• Swayback is a term used to describe a condition where the horses back sags, especially when ridden

• Good muscling in the back and loin support the vertebral column and prevents swayback

Internal Organs

• Organs are in three major cavities (areas) of the horse:– Thoracic Cavity (front)– Abdominal Cavity (middle)– Pelvic Cavity (back)

Thoracic Cavity

• The thoracic cavity is the area between the neck and abdomen.

• Ribs form the sides of the thoracic cavity

• The organs of the thoracic cavity include the circulatory and respiratory systems.

Thoracic Organs

• The heart lies towards the bottom of the thoracic cavity and to the left of center.

• The lungs lie to the sides and behind the heart and fill most of the thoracic cavity.

Abdominal Cavity

• The abdominal cavity extends from just behind the thoracic cavity to the pelvic region.

• The diaphragm is a body partition of muscle and connective tissue.

• The diaphragm separates the abdominal and thoracic cavities.

Abdominal Organs

• The liver is a large organ extending all the way across the abdominal cavity.

• The spleen and stomach lie behind the liver and in front of the small and large intestines.

• The kidneys lie on each side of the backbone and under the last ribs in the loin area of the horse.

Pelvic Cavity

• The pelvic cavity is continuous with the abdominal cavity.

• The rectum is the terminal portion of the intestine, which continues from the abdominal cavity to the pelvic cavity.

• The urinary bladder lies within the pelvic cavity and extends into the abdominal cavity when full.

Pelvic Organs

• Major organs included in the pelvic cavity are:

• Male reproductive organs which lie toward the back and at the base of the pelvic cavity; or,

• Female reproductive organs extending from the back of the cavity to near the abdominal cavity.