Parts of a Horse

The horse anatomy consists of an intricate framework of internal organs, a skeletal system, a muscular system, parts of the hooves, and the teeth. With any animal it is important to understand their anatomy in order to properly care for their wellbeing. By understanding the horse's anatomy, you are in a better position to identify possible irregularities.

Skeletal System

Perhaps one of the most interesting aspects of the horse anatomy is the skeletal structure. A horse's body is made up of 210 individual bones. These bones serve as support for the muscles that allow a horse to bear a tremendous amount of weight when running or making fast movements. Joints are formed in places where one bone connects with another bone. Cartilage serves as a cushion between those bones to absorb impact and stress on the joints.

The Muscular System

The muscular system is another part of the horse anatomy with which every owner should be familiar. This is particularly true because the muscular system includes the heart muscle. The lining of the gut also consists of a muscle. This muscle exists to propel food from one end of the alimentary tract to the other.

The inner workings of the horse anatomy are far from simple. Every owner should attempt to educate themselves on the basics in hopes of better caring for their horse.