Horse Anatomy

Horse Anatomy

Horse anatomy chart Horse Anatomy Terminology
Horse Confirmation Terminology



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A horse with a short neck may not be as agile at directional changes

The typical horse neck is about 1/3 horse’s length, measured from poll to withers, with a length comparable to the length of the legs.  A short neck neck is one that is less than 1/3 the length of the horse. Short necks are common, and seen in any breed.

Anatomy of the Horse Foot

A horse’s hoof is composed of the wall, sole and frog. The wall is simply that part of the hoof that is visible when the horse is standing. It covers the front and sides of the third phalanx, or coffin bone. The wall is made up of the toe (front), quarters (sides) and heel.

Bull Neck

Bull Neck

The horse with a bull neck has a short, thick, and beefy neck with a short upper curve. The attachment to its body is beneath the half-way point down the length of shoulder. This trait is fairly common, especially in draft breeds, Quarter Horses, and Morgans.

Dished face
Drawbacks of Upright shoulders or Vertical Shoulder
Fallen crest
How horse vision works
Importance of Positioning of the Elbow
Long Necks in Horses
Overshot jaw (parrot mouth) or undershot jaw (“monkey jaw” or “sow mouth”)
Pig eyed horses – what this tells you about his personality
Roman Nose
Small Nostrils
The horse with a laid-back or sloping shoulder is a smooth ride
The horse’s eye