Horse Front Leg Anatomy

The horse does not have a collarbone so the front legs are not attached by joints but rather to a sling of muscles and ligaments that support the weight of the horse and rider. This is because of an increased load and concussion on the front legs.

Horse Hind Leg Bones Horse Equus Anatomy Isolated On White

When horses perform certain activities the tendons can become stretched and strained resulting in injuries.

Horse front leg anatomy. The spine of the scapula a ridge divides it into two halves providing attachment for the shoulder muscles. Equine forelimb anatomy fact the front legs of a horse are not attached to the spine but rather held in place by a girdle or sling of muscles. The limbs play a major role in the movement of the horse with the legs performing the functions of absorbing impact bearing weight and providing thrust.

It also includes the joints of the hip stifle hock fetlock pastern and coffin 19 the stifle is the largest single joint in the body. That can reduce your partners ability to perform what it is you require of him. Horse front leg anatomy horse front legs they are not attached by joints but rather to a sling of muscles and ligaments that support the weight of the horse and rider.

The limbs play a major part in the movement of the horse with the legs performing the functions of absorbing impact bearing weight and providing thrust. The uppermost bone in the foreleg is the scapula or shoulder blade. The horses front knee is actually made of the same joint as that in our wrist and everything below is analogous to a human hand meaning that all the same basic bone structure is there.

In general the majority of weight is borne by the front legs while the rear legs provide propulsion. The shoulder blade or scapula is connected to the spine by muscle and ligaments and allows freedom of movement and absorption of concussion. As you can see the anatomy in this area is almost entirely tendons ligaments and bone.

With a better understanding of the anatomy you will be better aware of what is happening inside your horses leg. Mechanics of the front leg the scapula is a flat triangular bone that joins onto the humerus. In general the majority of the weight is borne by the front legs while the rear legs provide propulsion.

The horse leg anatomy in the rear includes the bones of the pelvis the ilium ischium and pubic bones femur tibia fibula metatarsus and the phalanxes. The hooves are also important structures providing support traction and shock absorption. Dogs paws whales fins and birds wings are all just modifications of the same bones.

If you have a horse that is downhill in conformation croup is higher than the withers due to his anatomy or poor training it increases his risk of front leg lameness. This is true of almost every vertebrate in fact.

The Distal Limb Bones Of The Equine