Whether you’re a seasoned rider or just starting out, understanding the different parts of a horse is an important aspect of interacting with and riding horses.
This guide will give you a basic understanding of horse anatomy so that you know how to care for, respect, and communicate with your horse.
Why Learn About the Different Parts of a Horse?
Understanding that all of the different parts of a horse make up the whole is the first step towards working with these lovely animals.
A horse’s care falls down to the owner and caretakers. As a rider, you’re a part of that team.
Horses are made up of complex networks of muscles, bones, and joints. Do you know the difference between a stifle joint and a hoof wall? If your horse is injured, how will you care for him?
Understanding the basics of horse anatomy will prepare you for if and when your horse gets injured.
The Head
Horses’ heads generally make up 10% of their total weight. For a 1,000-pound horse, that’s a 100-pound head! Imagine carrying that melon around all day. Thankfully for the horse, his head is supported by a very muscular neck.
Ears
Did you know that horses, like dogs, can pick up and understand human language? While the depth of their understanding is not yet understood, they listen to and respond to simple commands and words.
A horse can do much more than listen with his ears. In fact those ears can swivel up to 180 degrees!
Just as dogs do, they communicate with their ears. If your horses ears are turned to you while you’re riding, he’s listening for you. If they’re perked up, something has caught his attention. If they’re pinned flat he’s showing fear or anger, and if his ears are sagging this shows he’s relaxed and content.
Eyes
Have you ever noticed that horses’ eyes are on either side of their face and look in opposite directions?
In the wild, horses are prey to predators so their eyes (which allow for a nearly 360-degree view) lets them see their surroundings even without turning their heads.
That said, horses do have two blind spots. One is directly behind their head, and the other is on the very front of their nose. This is why a horse may easily startle if you approach him from the front and stroke his nose. Remember, it’s common courtesy to approach from the side.
The Withers
The withers is where the neck connects to the torso, and it’s one of the parts of a horse where you’ll find important muscle groups.
When looking at the horse’s back from a side angle, the withers is the part that’s lifted and stretches down to the back. This is what’s used to define the horse’s height, which is measured in ‘hands’. For example, a horse that’s 14 hands is 56 inches from the ground to the top of the withers.
In a proportionate horse, the withers should be somewhat taller than his back. Withers that protrude too high is cause for medical concern.
The Back
The back is obviously where the saddle goes. It spreads from the withers to the loins, which are just before the legs. The horse’s back is full of muscle, and the rider sits upon the boney spine of the horse while riding.
A horse with a short back, as opposed to a long back, is better for riding as it’s more well structured to carry weight.
Just behind the withers is where you’ll place the saddle. Any further back than this can put harmful pressure on the loin, which connects to the torso from the hind legs.
The Legs
Though they’re super muscular, many of the more sensitive parts of a horse are found in his legs. This is because they’re made up of a complex system of muscle and bone. They’re also prone to injury and trauma if not cared for properly.
A horse’s legs are made up of a bunch of different muscles, bones, and joints. When you look at diagrams you’ll see the stifle joint, the hock joint, the cannon bone, the pastern joint, and the fetlock joint, among others.
As a new rider it can be confusing trying to decipher what all of these are and what they do. Possibly the most crucial for you to learn about is the fetlock, as this is responsible for much of a horse’s fluid running ability.
The Fetlock Joint
The fetlock joint is the thing that makes a horse a horse.
As Dr. Larry Bramlage put it, “The fetlock is a joint, a shock absorber, an energy storage system, and a stabilizer of the distal limb.” It’s the fetlock joint that allows for a horse’s high speed across rough terrain.
As Dr. Bramlage describes it, bone and soft tissue are so intricately woven that they are considered only together, never apart. This also makes it one of the hardest parts of a horse to treat and correct when an injury happens.
The Hoof
The hoof is arguably the most important part of a horse. While it’s rather simple to look at, hoof anatomy is just as complex as other parts of a horse.
Here’s a breakdown on the different parts and what they do:
- Hoof Wall – Protects inner hoof, helps to balance horse’s weight
- Coronary Band – Nutritional source for the hoof wall
- Periople – Protects new layers of the hoof wall
- Laminar Layer – Also known as the inner wall, the Laminar Layer absorbs shock and protects the vital inner parts of the hoof
Because the hoof is ever growing, much like our fingernails, it requires regular care to keep the horse healthy, happy, safe, and rideable. Any sign of damage, even to the smallest degree, requires attention.
Final Thoughts
So, there you have it! The anatomy of a horse. Of course, this is a simple run through of some key parts of a horse, but it’s a good introduction and should set you on the right track for learning about all the different parts of a horse!