Glossary of Horse Parts
Knowing the names of a horse's body parts is essential for understanding the veterinarian, farrier, and any riding manual. This glossary brings together the most commonly used external anatomical terms in daily equestrian life, explained clearly.
Terms
- Withers
- The highest point of the back, above the shoulder blades, where the horse's height is measured and the saddle rests.
- Pastern
- The segment of the limb between the fetlock and the hoof, acting as a natural shock absorber for movement.
- Fetlock
- The joint located between the cannon bone and the pastern, functionally equivalent to our knuckle.
- Hock
- The main joint of the hind limb, equivalent to the human ankle; crucial for propulsion.
- Frog
- A V-shaped horny structure on the underside of the hoof, which cushions and aids in foot circulation.
- Cannon Bone
- The long bone in the lower part of the limb, between the knee or hock and the fetlock.
- Chestnut
- A horny callus located on the inner side of the limbs, an anatomical vestige with no current function.
- Chest
- The area of the horse's chest, at the junction of the neck with the forelimbs.
- Stifle
- The joint of the hind limb equivalent to the human knee, located in the upper part.
- Croup
- The upper hind part of the horse, over the hindquarters; its musculature is key for propulsion.
- Lip
- The horse's lip, especially the lower one, which is mobile and sensitive.
- Poll
- The upper part of the head, between the ears.
- Face/Nose Bridge
- The frontal part of the horse's face, on which the hackamore acts.
- Neck Crest
- The lateral area of the horse's neck.
- Elbow
- The elbow joint in the forelimb, near the chest; a point to watch when girthing.
- Coronet
- The band located at the junction of the hoof and the skin, from which the horny wall of the foot grows.
