Horse Anatomy

A horse is a beautiful and graceful animal. They have a unique and interesting anatomy. The average horse has approximately 205 bones. A horse doesn't have a collar bone like a human does. Their front legs are attached to their spinal column by a set of powerful muscles, ligaments and tendons.

A horse's legs and hooves are very unique and designed very different than a human's legs are. For example what you might consider a horse's knee is actually carpal bones like we have in our wrists. The hock of a horse contains bones that are equivalent to our ankle and heel.

Another interesting fact about a horse's anatomy is that they have no muscles in its leg below the knee and hocks. The unique design of a horse's skeleton gives support to its muscles and protects the internal organs. This is also why they can move so gracefully at various speeds and also have the ability to lie down and graze.

A horse's head is the single heaviest part of their body. The legs of a horse are the most fragile part of their bodies. A horse's back is very sensitive and where the tail starts is called the dock. The girth is the area the horse's belly where the girth or cinch is wrapped from the saddle.

The horse is an interesting animal and it always amazes me how something that large can run and trot so gracefully. Horses are a unique breed of animal. They are powerful yet gentle. Horses are very beautiful animals that will give you many hours of riding enjoyment.

Such an amazing creature deserves to receive the very best loving care and medical attention possible - that is why AFI horse insurance policies can be customised with optional extras to reflect the needs of both you and your horse.