animal kingdom > ungulate mammals > horse > morphology of a horse image

mane

Long stiff hairs (horsehair) covering the neck used mainly to chase away insects.

withers

Portion of the body extending the neck and forming a protuberance above the shoulder.

back

Upper portion of the trunk opposite the belly between the withers and the loin.

loin

Upper portion of the body between the back and the croup; it transmits forward the propulsion from the hind limbs.

croup

Rear portion of the body between the loin and the base of the tail; it provides propulsion.

flank

Lateral portion of the body that ripples with the action of the muscles, which allows the horse to chase away insects and warm itself.

tail

Terminal appendage of the body with long hairs; the horse whips its tail to chase away insects.

thigh

Upper portion of the hind limb having large powerful muscles.

stifle

Articulation of the hind limb between the thigh and the leg formed of the patella and the skin that covers it.

gaskin

Portion of the hind limb between the stifle and hock.

hock

Articulation of the hind limb; it contributes to movement and absorbs shocks.

cannon

Portion of the hind limb between the hock and the fetlock joint supporting the horse’s weight.

pastern

Portion of the limbs between the fetlock joint and the coronet, corresponding to the first phalange of the finger.

hoof

Thick corneous casing covering and protecting the terminal end of the limb; it rests on the ground while the horse is walking and absorbs shocks.

hoof

coronet

Part of the limbs covering the upper edge of the hoof and corresponding to the second phalange of the finger.

fetlock

Tuft of hair located behind the fetlock joint.

fetlock joint

Articulation of the limbs between the cannon and the pastern forming a protuberance and acting as a shock absorber.

belly

Lower portion of the trunk opposite the back.

knee

Articulation of the forelimb located below the elbow between the forearm and the cannon; it contributes to movement and acts as a shock absorber.

elbow

Articulation of the forelimb between the upper arm and the forearm above the knee.

forearm

Part of the forelimb located between the shoulder and the elbow corresponding to the humerus.

chest

Front portion of the body located between the neck and the limbs.

shoulder

Upper portion of the forelimb attached to the trunk.

neck

Portion of the body supporting the head and attached to the withers, the shoulders and the chest.

cheek

Protruding side of the head behind the upper jaw.

lip

Each of two movable muscular folds forming the contour of the mouth and having a tactile function.

muzzle

Terminal end of the upper lip having a tactile and prehensile function.

nostril

Each of the orifices of the nose having a respiratory and olfactory function.

nose

Front portion of the head extending from the base of the eyes to the nostrils.

forelock

Tuft of long stiff hairs (horsehair) on the upper terminal end of the mane and falling onto the forehead between the ears.