EQ105PartsofaHorse.pptVIP

Equine Science 1 Parts of the Horse MAIN IDEA: What are the proper names for the external parts of a horse? Why learn the names? To describe conformation To judge horses To care for horses To discuss and use tack Parts of a Horse Ears – an expressive part of the horse Poll – bony prominence, highest point on horse’s body when head is up Forelock – lock of hair falling down the horse’s forehead Mane – long, coarse hair growing from the top of the neck Crest – curved top line of the neck; fuller in male Parts of a Horse … Shoulder – hard, bony prominence surrounded by heavy muscle masses; should be long, sloping and muscular Withers – prominent ridge where neck and back join; height measured here Heartgirth – circumference around the horse directly behind the front legs and over the highest part of the withers; used to estimate weight Parts of a Horse … Back -- from the base of the withers to where the last rib is attached to the spine; saddle placed here Barrel – extends from behind the shoulders to the loins Point of hip – first place indicating weight loss Parts of a Horse … Loin – short area joining the back to rump Croup or rump -- between the loin and the tail; highest point of hindquarters Flank -- area below the loin, between the last rib and the thigh Thigh --massive muscles attached to and around the femur bone Parts of a Horse … Buttock – used to determine body length Quarter – also called hindquarter; should be well-muscled Stifle – joint at end of thigh Gaskin – between stifle and hock Hock – joint between gaskin and cannon bone in rear leg Parts of a Horse … Cannon – bone betweenthe knee and fetlock joint Pastern -- from thefetlock to the top of thehoof; shock absorber Coronet -- band aroundthe top of the hooffrom which thehoof wall grows Abdomen/belly –behind the ribs Parts of a Horse … Hoof – horny wall andsole of the foot Fetlock -- joint between the cannon bone and the pastern Elbow – bony prominence lying against the chest at the begi