What is the horse's cross?

The withers are the highest point of a horse's back, located above the shoulders, where its height is measured.

Detailed explanation

The withers are the bony prominence located at the base of the neck, above the shoulder blades, formed by the spinous processes of the first dorsal vertebrae. It is a fundamental anatomical reference: it is where the horse's height is measured, and the saddle must rest correctly on it without pressure. High, well-defined withers facilitate saddle adjustment; low or wide withers can complicate it. Rubs on the withers are a sign of a poorly fitted saddle.


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