Equine Anatomy

Question 1

Types of teeth

Answer 1

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

Question 2

Why are teeth important?

Answer 2

Aid in mechanical digestion of feedstuffs consumed and are used to determine the ages of horses

Question 3

Cups

Answer 3

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

Question 4

Angle of incidence

Answer 4

The angle in which the upper and lower incisors meet

Question 5

3 major sections of the mouth

Answer 5

Incisors- cut the forage
Interdental space- indigestible feedstuff and foreign bodies are discharged
Fodder or hind cavity- used for chewing

Question 6

Mouth

Answer 6

Jaw, wolf teeth, canine teeth, incisors, premolars, molars, two sets of teeth

Question 7

Stallions

Answer 7

Typically have 44 teeth

Question 8

Mares

Answer 8

Typically have 36-40 teeth

Question 9

Equine digestion

Answer 9

Hindgut fermenters

Each organ serves the same function as in mono gastric animals

Question 10

Hoof wall

Answer 10

Composed of keratin and grows throughout the life of the horse. Protects internal hoof anatomy

Question 11

White line

Answer 11

Joins the sole to the inner hoof wall

Question 12

Sole

Answer 12

Area inside white line. Protects internal structures

Question 13

Commissary of the frog

Answer 13

Valley between the frog and the bars of the hoof

Question 14

Frog

Answer 14

Cushion for the foot; helps distribute weight

Most important

Question 15

Buttress

Answer 15

Furthest weight bearing point on the hoof

Question 16

Heel bulbs

Answer 16

Back of the hoof that is covered in skin and hair. Provides cushion, circulation, and strength

Question 17

Bar

Answer 17

Runs along the frog; adds strength to the heel

Question 18

Coronary band

Answer 18

Top of the hoof wall; strengthens internal hoof structures

Question 19

Long pastern bone

Answer 19

Between the fetlock and the pattern joint.
Increases flexibility and reduces impact.

Question 20

Short pastern bone

Answer 20

Between the long pattern bone and coffin bone. Allows hoof to move side to side

Question 21

Extensor tendon

Answer 21

Front of the leg; designed to flex the leg and hoof forward

Question 22

Flexor tendon

Answer 22

Back of the leg; designed to flex the leg and hood in a rearward motion

Question 23

Navicular bone

Answer 23

Between the short pattern and coffin bone. Supports the deep flexor tendon

Question 24

Coffin bone

Answer 24

Large bone found in the hoof; gives strength and stability to the hoof, tendon attachments, and protects blood vessels and nerves

Question 25

Laminae

Answer 25

Between hoof wall and coffin bone. Attaches coffin bone to hoof wall. Bears most of the weight of the horse

Question 26

Galvaynes groove

Answer 26

Dark, vertical indentations on the outer surface of the incisors. Runs down the tooth