15 horse anatomy terms

bars

V‐shaped depression on the distal surface of the hoof

frog

V‐shaped pad of soft horn between the bars on the sole of the hoof.

heel bulb

Swollen part of the hoof wall and adjacent soft tissue at the back of the hoof

hoof wall

Hard, horny covering of the hoof.

sole

Palmar and plantar surfaces of the hoof

toe

Cranial aspect of the hoof.

white line

The fusion between the wall and the sole of the hoof.

barrel

The trunk of the horse; determined largely by the chest's capacity

cheek

Fleshy portion on either side of the face, forming the sides of the mouth and continuing rostrally to the lips.

stallion

Intact male horse four years or older.

coronary band

Junction between the skin and the horny tissue of the hoof.

crest

Root of the mane.

jack

Intact male donkey

ergot

Small mass of horny tissue in a small bunch of hair on the palmar and plantar aspects of the fetlock.

forelock

Cranial aspect of the mane hanging down between the ears and onto the forehead.

mane

Region of long, course hair at the dorsal border of the neck and terminating at the poll.

poll

Top of the head; also known as the occiput

beat

Time when the foot touches the ground.

canter

Galloping at an easy pace. This stride involves a three‐beat rhythm in which two diagonal legs are paired. This is also known as a lope in Western riding

gallop

Fastest gait of the horse in which all four limbs are off the ground at one point. This stride involves a four‐beat rhythm; also known as a run

pace

Fast, two‐beat rhythm similar to a trot except that the front and rear limbs on each side move in unison instead

trot

Two‐beat rhythm gait in which diagonal limbs take off at the same time

walk

Slow, four‐beat rhythm in which all four limbs take off at separate times.

gaited horse

Breeds with a smooth, easy gait commonly used for transportation and show. These breeds are typically 14–16 hands. Examples include the Tennessee Walker and American Saddlebred

pony

Breeds that are less than 14 hands. These breeds are often used for recreation and show. Examples include the Shetland Pony (Figure 15.5E) and the Welsh Pony.

warmblood

Classification given to horses with a nervous and energetic temperament. Examples include Thoroughbred and Arabians.

coldblood

Classification given to horses developed for draft work. Examples include the Clydesdale, Shire, and Belgian.

bald

White face; face with a blaze and a snip that extends beyond the eyes and nostrils

blaze

White stripe on the face.

snip

White marking on the muzzle

spot

White mark on the face.

star

White mark between the eyes, usually in the shape of a diamond

stripe

Long, narrow, white mark down the nose; also called a strip or race

coronet

White marking covering the coronary band

heel

White marking on the heel

pastern

White marking from the pastern to the coronet

stocking

White mark from the coronet to the knee

bay

Reddish‐brown or tan color with a black mane, black tail, and lower legs.

bit

Metal portion of the bridle placed in the horse’s mouth to control it during riding

halter

Head restraint for a horse used to guide and tie a horse

tack

Equipment used for riding and care of the horse; also known as tackle.

cribbing

Habit in which the horse grasps an object with its incisors and applies pressure as it swallows

farrier

Person skilled in the making, fitting, and remodeling of horseshoes

floating

Filing of teeth using a dental float

lunging

Exercising a horse by having it circle at the end of a long lead

colt

Intact male horse four years old or younger.

filly

Intact female horse four years old or younger.

yearning

Young horse between the ages of one and two years.

jenny

Intact female donkey.

laminitis

Inflammation of the lamina causing lameness; commonly called founder.