Points of the Horse

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In the stomach, assorted acids and the enzyme pepsin break down food. Pepsin allows for the further breakdown of proteins into amino acid chains. [14] Other enzymes include resin and lipase. Additionally, the stomach absorbs some water, as well as ions and lipid-soluble compounds. Level with the top of the chestnut on the front leg: the chestnut resides a few inches above the knee Flank…..this area lies beneath the loins of the horse from the last rib to the muscles of the thigh. All of this is abdominal fascia supporting and protecting the abdominal area. Similar to the girth, it gets really tight here. When the abdominal fascia is really tight it will restrict the stifle. The horse's small intestine is 15 to 21m (50 to 70ft) long and holds 38 to 45L (10 to 12USgal). This is the major digestive organ, and where most nutrients are absorbed. [16] It has three parts, the duodenum, jejunum and ileum. The majority of digestion occurs in the duodenum while the majority of absorption occurs in the jejunum. Bile from the liver aids in digesting fats in the duodenum combined with enzymes from the pancreas and small intestine. Horses, in common with mammals such as camels, do not have a gall bladder, meaning bile flows constantly. [14] Most food is digested and absorbed into the bloodstream from the small intestine, including proteins, simple carbohydrate, fats, and vitamins A, D, and E. Any remaining liquids and roughage move into the large intestine. The esophagus is about 1.2 to 1.5m (4 to 5ft) in length, and carries food to the stomach. A muscular ring, called the cardiac sphincter, connects the stomach to the esophagus. This sphincter is very well developed in horses. This and the oblique angle at which the esophagus connects to the stomach explains why horses cannot vomit. [14] The esophagus is also the area of the digestive tract where horses may suffer from choke.

Flank – Where the barrel meets the horse’s hind leg. Often a change in the direction of the hair can be seen here. This area is especially sensitive on most horses. a b Williams, Carey A. (April 2004). "The Basics of Equine Nutrition". Equine Science Center. Rutgers University. FS #038. Cook FRCVS PhD, Robert (2008), Shoeing your horse is like foot binding your daughter, Veterinary Times, p.8, archived from the original (PDF) on 13 August 2017 , retrieved 23 August 2011 The cecum is the first section of the large intestine. It is also known as the "water gut" or "hind gut". It is a cul-de-sac pouch, [16] about 1.2m (4ft) long that holds 26 to 30L (7 to 8USgal). It contains bacteria that digest cellulose plant fiber through fermentation. [17] These bacteria feed upon chyme digestive, and also produce certain fat-soluble vitamins which are absorbed by the horse. [14] The reason horses must have their diets changed slowly is so the bacteria in the cecum are able to modify and adapt to the different chemical structure of new feedstuffs. [16] Too abrupt a change in diet can cause colic, which is a broad term used to describe abdominal pain in horses, much like a stomachache in humans. But unlike our occasional tummy upsets, colic in horses can have a myriad of causes and severities, ranging from mild gas buildup to serious intestinal obstructions [18] when the new food is not properly digested. Parts of the Horse" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 22 August 2011 . Retrieved 25 August 2011.

Horse Skeleton

Chestnut – A quarter-sized growth on the inside of the horse’s forearm above the knee. This will flake and fall off naturally. Farriers can also help maintain these growths during regular hoof maintenance. Loin: the area right behind the saddle, going from the last rib to the croup, anatomically approximate to the lumbar spine Elbow: The joint of the front leg at the point where the belly of the horse meets the leg. Homologous to the elbow in humans There are four main areas to focus on to ensure a good quality of life for your horse: Nutrition, dental care, exercise, and veterinary care.

Chestnut….these are what are called ‘horny growths’ on the insides of the leg, usually halfway down inside the leg or forearm. Horseshoes are used for a variety of reasons, such as correcting soundness issues, providing better traction, and achieving peak athletic performance. Coronet or coronary band: the ring of soft tissue just above the horny hoof that blends into the skin of the leg Knee – The forelimb joint that connects the upper and lower areas of the front leg. This joint consists of many small bones and is very similar in structure to the human wrist. There are no muscles on the horse’s front leg below this joint. Below the knee, the horse’s leg consists of soft tissue and bone.Chin groove: the part of the horse's head behind the lower lip and chin, the area that dips down slightly on the lower jaw; area where the curb chain of certain bits is fastened

The hearing of horses is good, [28] superior to that of humans, and the pinna of each ear can rotate up to 180°, giving the potential for 360° hearing without having to move the head. [29] Often, the eye of the horse is looking in the same direction as the ear is directed. Learn different cat parts, goat body parts, parts of a cow and parts of a horse with American English pronunciation.Forearm: the area of the front leg between the knee and elbow, consisting of the fused radius and ulna, and all the tissue around these bones; anatomically, the antebrachium.

Distal- Further away from the main part of the body, furthest. Example: The hoof is the most distal part of the leg. A horse’s legs are part of the reason a horse can run at nearly 27 miles per hour and all horses have four basic gaits: walk, trot or jog, canter or lope, and the gallop. Interestingly, horses travel on the tips of their toes because the hoof of a horse is similar to a fingertip or toe tip of a human, but much stronger. The hooves also bear the animal’s weight and the old adage, “no hoof, no horse,”[7] shows how important a good hoof is for a horse. To make sure the hooves are well cared for, most people developed routines established for a farrier to pare or trim them. Additionally, similar to the face, unique markings on a horse’s legs can be used to identify it. Leg markings include: Girth or heartgirth: the area right behind the elbow of the horse, where the girth of the saddle would go; this area should be where the barrel is at its greatest diameter in a properly-conditioned horse that is not pregnant or obese Nutrition plays a critical role in your horse’s health and well-being. Here’s what you need to know about hay, grain, and designing your feeding program. Hoof (foot) – The keratin structure at the end of a horse’s legs. An old proverb states “No hoof, no horse” as the hoof and hoof care are vital to horses’ comfort, soundness, and longevity.Elbow – The bony point on the rear side of the front leg near the girth on the bottom side of the shoulder. Horses have the largest eyes of all land mammals and as their eyes sit on the sides of their heads, they have more than 350 degrees of vision, with a blind spot located at the front of their foreheads. With such wide, circular vision, a horse can tell if an animal is sneaking up behind them, and, on windy days, they are often skittish because too many things are swaying and blowing in the wind. Even when a horse is grazing his panoramic monocular vision is at work. Moreover, because horses have dichromatic vision, they see shades of red as green. They also have and superb daytime and nighttime vision. In the nineteenth century it was noted that a horse’s eyes and ears moved together, and “therefore will always be directed wherever the horse’s attention is attracted,”[6] which you can note if you watch a horse. When a sound or sight captures their attention, they will stop what they are doing, lift their head to get a better look, and move their ears towards the sound. Girth (Heart Girth)– The area immediately behind the front leg. This area is where the girth or cinch should fit when the horse is saddled. saddle helps distribute the weight evenly over the weight bearing ribs. If the saddle is improperly set too