Anatomy of a Horse: Equine Bones and Muscles

Sable Woods
If you own a horse, you must understand several basic parts about a horse's anatomy to insure that you're taking care of your horse the best way you can. You can do this by studying equine anatomy on your own or by talking to your vet to learn the basics.

First, you should know that lying down is hard for horses. Their bodies aren't meant to lie down for lengthy periods at a time. If a horse lays down for any amount of time, they're risking damage to their internal organs. So if your horse is lying down, that's a sign there's a problem with him and you should call your vet immediately. More than likely, it's an emergency.

The legs of a horse are the most essential parts of his body. They carry all of his weight and support him while he's awake and asleep. However, they're also very thin and can be damaged easily. If a horse gets a broken leg, the healing process can be a painful one because he won't be able to lie down to recover. Always take care of your horse's legs and feet to try to prevent this from happening. Cleaning the feet should be as routine as feeding and watering your horse. Pick the hooves daily to get rid of dirt and debris, like gravel and grass. It's also best to have your horse shod and trimmed every 4-6 weeks (4 weeks for horses who mostly stay in barns and stables, 6 weeks for those who like to run out in the pasture).

You should also make sure to take care of your horse's skin and coat. Focus on these to help them prevent a lot of problems and keep your horse healthy and happy. Groom your horse every day, especially before AND after each time you go riding.

Horses have very a very advanced heart and lung system that allows them to keep running or walking for a long time. Now, that doesn't mean that your horse never needs time to rest. It just means that you can exercise your horse more than humans can exercise themselves.

Observing your horse constantly is the most vital step to protecting and maintaining his health. This way, you'll notice any unusual behavior that could signify a problem right away. You don't want a poor horse and you don't want your horse living out his life in constant pain, so keep an eye out for him like you would a human child.

Published by Sable Woods

Just your average 27 year old...  View profile

  • Lying down is hard for horses.
  • The legs and feet are the most important and most vulnerable parts of a horse's anatomy.

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  • K. C.7/28/2008

    When a horse lies down that doesn't always mean that something is wrong. Many horses like to sunbathe in the summer. If a horse is constantly getting up and down or rolling excessivly then yes, there probably is something wrong. I just wanted to clarify that just because a horse is lying does not mean that something is wrong.

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