External Anatomy Standard 5.00 - Understand equine anatomy Objective 5.01 - Understand major external parts

Major External Parts

Major External Parts Barrel – The central region of a horse from the back to the abdomen. Coronet – The dividing line between the hoof and the leg of the horse (located in the coronary band). Fetlock – The joint connecting the cannon and the pastern above the hoof of the horse.

Major External Parts Flank – The fleshy side of a horse between the ribs and the hip. Forelock – The lock of hair falling forward over the face. Heart Girth (Girth) – The circumference of the chest just behind the withers and in front of the back.

Major External Parts Hock – The large joint halfway up the hind leg of a horse. Mane – The long hair on top of the neck. Muzzle – The lower end of the nose which includes the nostrils, lips, and chin.

Major External Parts Pastern – The part of the leg between the fetlock joint and the coronary band of the hoof. Poll – The top part of the head between the horse’s ears. Shoulder – The part extending to the base of the neck that connects the forelimbs to the body.

Major External Parts Stifle – The knee-like joint above the hock in the hind leg of a horse. Thigh – The part of the horse’s hindquarter between the stifle and the rump (croup). Withers – The highest part of the back located at the base of the neck in the horse. Croup – The rump/hip area of the horse.

External Parts

Anatomical Terminology Hip area - Also called the hindquarter Topline – The back and loin from the withers to the croup (rump). Also referred to as the length of the back. Underline – Area from elbow to the stifle

Assignment Complete horse anatomy worksheet