The body of a horse can be roughly divided into three parts: head, trunk, and limbs. The overall structure is symmetrical, the muscles are well-developed, the bones are light and sturdy, the lines are smooth, and it has extremely strong athletic ability. Its body design is suitable for fast running and endurance, combining strength and flexibility, showcasing elegant and robust body features.

Forehead:

The forehead of a horse is located between its ears and eyes, wide and flat, with some breeds slightly sunken; Its outline is supported by a strong frontal bone, with few muscles and smooth lines. The surface is covered with short and fine hair, and the overall structure affects the proportion and elegant temperament of the horse's head.

Mouth and nose (nozzle):

The muzzle of a horse is the protruding part of the front end of the head, including the nostrils, lips, and teeth. Its characteristics are soft and flexible, covered with short and fine hair on the surface, sensitive to touch, and capable of accurately ingesting food. The nostrils are wide and expandable, suitable for breathing during intense exercise; Lips move freely, making it easy to choose grass. The overall structure combines functionality and sensitivity, and is an important organ for horses to perceive the environment and eat.

Pillow (Poll):

The neck pillow of a horse is located at the junction between the two ears and the cervical spine, consisting of the occipital bone and atlas, and is a key hub for head movement. This part is flexible and sensitive, directly affecting the horse's steering and armature response. It needs to be kept relaxed to avoid stiffness or pain, which is crucial for riding comfort and athletic performance.

Chin Groove:

The mandibular groove of a horse is a natural depression located behind the mandible and in front of the throat. Its structure is formed at the junction of the mandible and neck muscles, usually covered with short and soft hair. This area plays a crucial role when wearing a halter or water bottle, providing a natural fit space for the strap and avoiding compression of the trachea. The depth of the groove varies depending on the variety, and attention should be paid to cleaning to prevent sweat or dirt accumulation from causing skin irritation. In addition, examining this area helps evaluate the posture of the horse's head and neck flexibility.

Throat Latch:

The neck of a horse is a strap that wraps around the lower part of the throat and is located behind the groove in the lower jaw. The tightness should leave a fist space to ensure smooth breathing and prevent the pitcher from falling off. Tightness can compress the trachea, while looseness can reduce control. Regular adjustments are necessary to ensure the comfort and riding safety of the horse.

Neck spine (Crest):

The neck and spine of a horse are the muscles and adipose tissue that protrude from the upper edge of the neck, extending from the nape to the shoulders, forming a graceful curved line. Its level of development varies depending on breed, age, and training status - stallions or castrated horses are usually more prominent, while horses trained for a long time are more lean. Excessive hypertrophy of the cervical spine may indicate metabolic problems (such as insulin resistance), which require a combination of diet and exercise management. This structure not only affects the appearance of horses, but is also closely related to head flexibility and neck strength.

Shoulders (Withers):

The acromion of a horse is a raised structure formed by the spinous processes of the 2nd to 12th thoracic vertebrae at the neck back junction. As the highest point of the trunk, its height is often used as a reference for measuring the height of a horse. This area covers ligaments and muscles, connecting the neck, shoulders, and back, directly affecting the range of motion of the forelimbs and the stability of the saddle during exercise. The shape of the shoulder ridge (such as tall or flat) varies depending on the variety, and special attention should be paid to saddle matching - improper pressure can easily cause pain or injury. In addition, a well-developed shoulder hump is often associated with good athletic performance and is an important indicator for evaluating the structure of horses.

Back:

The back of a horse is the core area of the trunk that extends from the acromion to the waist, consisting of the thoracic vertebrae and large muscle groups attached to them. Its length and curvature directly affect load-bearing capacity and coordination of movement - a short and strong back is more conducive to explosive power, while a long or concave back may reduce stability. The condition of the back muscles needs to be maintained through proper training, and the adaptation of the saddle is crucial to avoid compression that may cause pain or gait abnormalities.

Waist (Loin):

The waist of a horse is a short and strong transition area that connects the back and buttocks, consisting of the lumbar spine and surrounding muscle groups. Its compact structure and high load-bearing requirements directly affect the transmission of hind limb driving force and trunk flexibility. The level of muscle development in the waist is closely related to athletic performance. If collapse or stiffness occurs, it may indicate strain, and its function needs to be maintained through core training and reasonable riding.

Flank:

The ventral rib of a horse is a soft concave area located behind the ribs and below the waist, connecting the abdomen and hind limbs. Its skin is thin and sensitive, and fluctuations during breathing can be observed, which is an important indicator for evaluating the health status of horses (such as frequent twitching in abdominal pain). The flexibility of the abdominal muscles affects the stride of the hind limbs and the twisting ability of the trunk, and it is necessary to avoid excessive compression from saddles or bellybands. This area is also a sensitive zone for horse heat dissipation and tactile response.

Croup:

The hump of a horse is a raised area at the back of the trunk, consisting of the pelvis, sacrum, and attached muscles, extending from the waist to the tail root. The inclination and length of the horse vary depending on the breed - racehorses tend to have a sloping hump to enhance hind limb propulsion, while draft horses tend to have a flat hump to improve load-bearing stability. The well-developed hip muscles are the key to explosive power and need to be maintained through training. At the same time, the activity of the tail root can reflect the mental state and health of the horse.

Point of Hip:

The hip process of a horse is the most prominent bony landmark on the outer edge of the pelvis, located on both sides of the hump and in front of the hind limbs, and can be clearly located by touch. Its position and angle directly affect hind limb gait and driving force - wider hip processes are usually associated with stronger motor performance. This structure is a key reference point for evaluating the proportion of horse body size (such as coordination between trunk and hind limbs), and is also an important anatomical marker for measuring body length or saddle fit.

Dock:

The tail base of a horse is the connecting part between the tail and the trunk, consisting of 3-5 caudal vertebrae and surrounding muscle tissue, covered with short and dense hair on the surface. Its activity can reflect the horse's emotions (clamping the tail base when tense, swinging naturally when relaxed) and health status (inflammation may cause swelling). The depression above the tail base is often the site of vaccination and should be kept clean daily to prevent parasites or skin diseases. This structure plays an important role in repelling mosquitoes and balancing regulation.

Tail:

The tail of a horse is composed of coccyx, muscles, and long hair, which combines functionality and expressiveness. Its base (tail base) is connected to the ridge and can be flexibly swung to repel mosquitoes and insects; Long hair is divided into protective short upper layer hair and decorative long lower layer hair. The ponytail posture reflects the state of the horse - clamped tightly when nervous and raised high when excited. Regular cleaning and grooming are necessary in daily life to avoid tangling or parasitic growth, while long hair trimming varies depending on the breed and purpose (such as dressing up horses with multiple braids).

Elbow:

The elbow of a horse is the joint that connects the upper end of the forelimb to the trunk, consisting of the lower end of the humerus and the upper end of the radius, covered by strong muscles. Its position is closely attached to the chest, and its range of motion directly affects the stride and flexibility of the forelimbs. Attention should be paid to the compression of the saddle or bellyband at the concave area behind the elbow, which can easily cause friction injuries. A healthy elbow joint should be able to move freely, stiffness or swelling may indicate arthritis or trauma, and regular check ups are necessary to ensure motor function.

Forearm:

The forearm of a horse is the muscular area in the upper part of the forelimb, located between the elbow and knee (wrist joint), supported by the radius and ulna. Its muscle groups, such as the wrist radial extensor muscle, directly drive forelimb movement, and developed muscles can enhance step strength and flexibility. The length and inclination of the forearm vary depending on the breed, and racehorses usually have longer forearms to increase stride. This area needs to be strengthened through proper training, while also paying attention to the risk of trauma or tendinitis.

Knee:

The knees of a horse refer to the wrist joint of the forelimb (commonly known as the "anterior knee") and the true knee joint of the hind limb. The anterior knee is composed of the radius, wrist bone, and metacarpal bone, and is flexible but prone to injury. Attention should be paid to the risk of bruising during hard ground exercise; The structure of the hind knee is similar to that of humans and is the key to driving explosive power in the hind limbs. Strong muscles in the hind knee are crucial for jumping and acceleration. Both joints need to be regularly checked for signs of swelling or fever, early detection can avoid serious sports injuries.

Cannon:

The canal of a horse is the long bone area from the knee (wrist joint) to the ball joint in the forelimb, composed of the third metacarpal bone (forelimb) or third metatarsal bone (hind limb), presenting a straight and rigid cylindrical structure. As the weight-bearing core of the limbs, its strength directly affects the stability of movement - the horse racing tube is usually slender to reduce weight, while the draft horse is thick to support the load. This area is covered with thin layers of tendons and ligaments, with only a small amount of soft tissue protection on the surface, making it prone to inflammation or stress fractures. Routine palpation is necessary to detect abnormalities such as fever and swelling, and X-ray examination can detect subtle bone fractures early. The shape of the tube is also an important indicator for evaluating the potential of horse movement. Ideally, it should be completely perpendicular to the ground to ensure efficient transmission of strength to the hooves.

Department (Pastern):

The tassel of a horse is the inclined transition area connecting the tube and the crest of the hoof, consisting of the first phalanx bone (proximal sesamoid bone) and some tendons. The ideal angle should be 45-55 degrees to the crest of the hoof, which not only buffers the impact of movement but also maintains elasticity - angles that are too straight can easily cause arthritis, while angles that are too oblique can weaken support. The length of the tassel affects the gait style: Short tassels are commonly seen in fast horses to enhance stability; The long waistband often appears on fast walking horses to enhance their flexibility. The area needs to be checked daily for swelling or fever. Soft hair covering areas are prone to accumulate dirt and grime, and improper cleaning may lead to dermatitis. A healthy harness is a key structure that ensures the comfort of horse movement.

Heel:

The heel of a horse's hoof is located on both sides of the rear of the hoof, consisting of the hoof wall, hoof cartilage, and elastic keratin, and is an important buffer area for absorbing ground impact forces. Its width and thickness directly affect comfort - being too narrow can easily cause hoof cracking, while being too wide may result in uneven pressure at the bottom of the hoof. A healthy heel should be full and round, in natural contact with the ground, and the expansion and contraction movements can be clearly observed while running. Regular trimming of hoof keratin and cleaning of hoof forks can prevent common infections and cracking problems in the heel area.

Distance from hair (Ergot):

The distance hair of a horse is a cluster of hard keratinous tissue that grows behind the ball joint, with cone-shaped small protrusions, and is considered a degenerated primitive toe relic. Its size varies depending on the breed, usually not exceeding the size of a pea, and some horses may completely regress. Hiding under long hair can easily accumulate dirt and requires regular cleaning to prevent bacterial growth. Although it has no practical function, traditionally trimming pubic hair is considered a cosmetic step, and veterinarians occasionally use its morphology to assist in evaluating limb development during examinations.

Night Eye (Chestnut):

The night eye of a horse is a keratinized skin tissue that grows on the inner side of the forelimbs and hind limbs, presenting a rough and scaly appearance, and is believed to be an evolved residual sweat gland structure. Its size and shape vary significantly among individuals, ranging from flat patches above the wrist of the forelimbs to protruding nodules at the joints of the hind limbs. Although it has no physiological function, the unique pattern of night eyes can serve as an individual identification marker. In daily life, it is only necessary to avoid excessive growth or cracking, and no special care is needed. Excessive pruning may actually cause sensitivity.

Body (Barrel):

The trunk of a horse refers to the barrel shaped chest area formed by the ribs and abdomen, which serves as a storage space for important organs such as the heart and lungs. Its volume directly affects respiratory efficiency and endurance performance - excellent racehorses typically have a deep and long barrel shaped torso, providing ample oxygen for intense exercise. This area needs to maintain muscle symmetry. Being overweight can limit flexibility, while being underweight can highlight ribs and affect health. Regular brushing can promote blood circulation, and special attention should be paid to avoid compressing this core movement area when fitting the saddle.

Posterior knee (Stifle):

The hind knee of a horse is the largest joint in the hind limb, equivalent to the knee joint of a human, consisting of the femur, patella, and tibia. As the core hub driving hind limb movement, its health status directly affects running and jumping abilities. The joint is surrounded by strong muscle groups that require moderate exercise to prevent stiffness. Common issues include patellar locking or arthritis, which can be checked for range of motion through flexion and extension tests. In an ideal state, the angle of the hind knee should naturally position the hoof below the abdominal line to ensure efficient transmission of strength.

Tibial region (Gaskin):

The tibia of a horse is the muscular area between the knee joint and the flying joint of the hind limb, consisting of the tibia and the overlying gastrocnemius muscle and other muscle groups. As the core source of hind limb propulsion, the degree of muscle development directly affects explosive power and jumping height - obstacle horses usually have particularly thick shin muscles. This area requires moderate training to maintain elasticity, and excessive fatigue may lead to muscle strain or tendinitis. Daily palpation can check muscle tension, and the ideal tibia should present a full and symmetrical line.

Fetlock:

The ball joint of a horse is a joint that connects the tube bone and the tie bone, with a clearly raised shape, a wide range of motion, and is prone to injury. As a critical part that can withstand impact, its health directly affects athletic performance - excessive use may lead to arthritis or suspensory ligament injury. There are clustered hairs behind the ball joint, which need to be cleaned regularly to prevent dirt accumulation. The ideal ball joint should be sturdy and powerful, with a 45-55 degree angle to the ground when viewed from the side, ensuring smooth footwork and effective cushioning. Cold compress after exercise can prevent swelling.

Coronet:

The crest of a horse's hoof is a circular transition zone that connects the hoof wall to the skin, forming a slightly raised band like structure responsible for secreting keratin to promote hoof wall growth. Its pink soft tissue is extremely sensitive, and slight impact or abrasion may cause hoof deformities. A healthy hoof crown should be full, smooth, and without swelling. It should be kept clean and regularly moisturized to prevent dryness and cracking. This area has abundant blood circulation and is prone to infection after injury, making it a key area of concern for hoof care.

Hoof:

The hooves of horses are fingertip organs wrapped in hard keratin shells, equivalent to the evolved structure of human nails. Its unique design combines weight support (an adult horseshoe can withstand over 500kg of impact force), shock buffering (through elastic deformation of the hoof fork), and anti slip function (the bottom edge of the hoof can grip the ground). Healthy hooves should be smooth and dense, with no cracks on the hoof wall and a concave bottom. Professional hoof repair is required every 6-8 weeks to maintain the optimal angle (50-55 degrees). Wet environments can easily cause hoof leaf inflammation, while dry climates may lead to hoof wall cracking.