Equine Anatomy Flashcards
Types of teeth
Deciduous- erupt from the age 0-9 months old. Aka baby teeth
Permanent- erupt from the ages 6 months to 4 years and 6 months old
Why are teeth important?
Aid in mechanical digestion of feedstuffs consumed and are used to determine the ages of horses
Cups
Dark, indented areas in the center of the incisor teeth.
As the teeth grind food, they begin to disappear and are gone by age 12
Angle of incidence
The angle in which the upper and lower incisors meet
3 major sections of the mouth
Incisors- cut the forage
Interdental space- indigestible feedstuff and foreign bodies are discharged
Fodder or hind cavity- used for chewing
Mouth
Jaw, wolf teeth, canine teeth, incisors, premolars, molars, two sets of teeth
Stallions
Typically have 44 teeth
Mares
Typically have 36-40 teeth
Equine digestion
Hindgut fermenters
Each organ serves the same function as in mono gastric animals
Hoof wall
Composed of keratin and grows throughout the life of the horse. Protects internal hoof anatomy
White line
Joins the sole to the inner hoof wall
Sole
Area inside white line. Protects internal structures
Commissary of the frog
Valley between the frog and the bars of the hoof
Frog
Cushion for the foot; helps distribute weight
Most important
Buttress
Furthest weight bearing point on the hoof
Heel bulbs
Back of the hoof that is covered in skin and hair. Provides cushion, circulation, and strength
Bar
Runs along the frog; adds strength to the heel
Coronary band
Top of the hoof wall; strengthens internal hoof structures
Long pastern bone
Between the fetlock and the pattern joint.
Increases flexibility and reduces impact.
Short pastern bone
Between the long pattern bone and coffin bone. Allows hoof to move side to side
Extensor tendon
Front of the leg; designed to flex the leg and hoof forward
Flexor tendon
Back of the leg; designed to flex the leg and hood in a rearward motion
Navicular bone
Between the short pattern and coffin bone. Supports the deep flexor tendon
Coffin bone
Large bone found in the hoof; gives strength and stability to the hoof, tendon attachments, and protects blood vessels and nerves
Laminae
Between hoof wall and coffin bone. Attaches coffin bone to hoof wall. Bears most of the weight of the horse
Galvaynes groove
Dark, vertical indentations on the outer surface of the incisors. Runs down the tooth
