Equine Limb Anatomy Flashcards
Evolution of the horse:
Started as small ____, evolved as the environment changed from forest into plains to eat ___ and then ____ from predators as needed.
Started with multiple ____ and gradually changed to have one larger, heavier ____.
- Herbivores
- Grass
- Run
- Toes
- Hoof
Name:
- P1, 2, & 3
- Metacarpal 3/Cannon bone
- Fetlock joint
- Long & short pastern
- Long & short pastern joint
- Coffin bone & joint
- Sesamoid bone
- Navicular bone
What is the number one body system that horses are seen for with diseases?
Musculoskeletal
Name the muscles appropriate for IM inj (5)
- Lateral cervical muscles
- Triceps brachii
- Biceps brachii
- Semitendinosus
- Semimembranosus
4 &5 on rear end region
Horses have ____ bones.
____ in the skull.
____ in each forelimb & hindlimb which are prone for disease.
205 bones
34 in the skull
20 in forelimb & hindlimb
Stay apparatus is the ____ of the joints of the limbs by using ___ and ____ while exerting a minimum of muscular activity.
This allows the horse to ____ while ____ without the limbs collapsing.
- Stabilization
- Ligaments and tendons
- Stand
- Sleeping
T/F: Stay apparatus is only present in the hindlimbs
False. It’s present in fore & hind limbs
T/F: Horses only sleep standing up
False. Horses sleep laying down <1hr/day to hit REM
T/F: Horses sleep better in groups
True! Some will sleep while others stand guard
Stay apparatus of the forelimb
Just know the joints literally stack and tendons keep the leg stable
Stay apparatus of the hindlimb
Literally “lock” their patella on the medial ridge of the femur
Reciprocal Apparatus
- To support the hindleg muscles must prevent the stifle and hock from flexing
- On front of leg, the peroneus tertius muscle supports the joints
- Back of leg, the superficial digital flexor muscle supports the joints
T/F: Reciprocal apparatus and stay apparatus are the same thing
False!!!
- Toe
- Heel
- Quarter
- Coronet/band
- Sole
- Frog
- Bar
- White line
Optional:
Bulbs of heels & Collateral Groove
What is the significance of the digital artery, nerve, vein, & coronary venous plexus?
- Lameness diagnostics
- Neurectomies
- Lacerations
- Flexor Tendons
- Navicular bone
- Navicular bursa
- Digital cushion (not labelled)
- P1, 2, 3
Hoof growth:
The dermal laminae ____ with the ___ laminae of the interior ____ wall.
This extensive interlocking essentially suspends the ____ ____ of the horse on the hoof walls
- interdigitate
- epidermal
- hoof
- entire weight
Laminitis
1. What is it?
2. Symptoms
3. Caused by…
- It is inflammation of the connection between the sensitive & insensitive laminae.
- Sign lameness, characteristic stance, increased digital pulses
- Multiple. Anything that can cause vasculitis (vessel inflamm).
- Grain overload, obesity, severe diarrhea, infections elsewhere, weight overload
T/F: Laminitis is usually only the front feet
True! If it is in both, it is normally worse in the front
Laminitis Tx (5)
- Rest
- NSAIDS
- Pad feet
- Corrective shoeing
- Diet change
T/F: Radiographing of the feet can only be done without the metal shoe on
False! can be done either way
Where should you place the radiograph marker when imaging a foot? Why?
Dorsal aspect of the hoof to highlight it on the radiograph.
This is also done so any rotation of the coffin bone can be easily measured.
What’s wrong with the image?
Downward rotation of P3 or Navicular syndrome
(In red)
Navicular syndrome is ____ & ____ that involves foot _____. This could be due to ____ of the navicular bursa &/or navicular area.
- Chronic & progressive
- Pain
- Inflammation
Navicular Syndrome
1. Age & health status affected:
2. Dx
3. Tx
- Age & health
- Age: 6-8yrs (young)
- Athletic - Dx
- Rads
- Nerve blocks
- Hoof testers - Tx
- Exercise plan
- Special shoes
- NSAIDS
- Neurectomies (?)
What are the two types of puncture wounds a horse can get?
- Outside frog-excellent
- Inside frog-poor
Tx for inside frog vs outside frog puncture wound
- Inside:
- May req Sx drainage - Outside:
- Drainage
- Bandage
- NSAIDs
-ABXs
- Can turn into sunsolar abscess
White Line disease
1. What is it?
2. How is it contracted?
3. Tx
- Infection trapped in the “white line” laminae
- Puncture wounds, poor conditions, debris in foot
- Anaerobic conditions that bacteria enjoy and causes destruction of hoof tissue - May req hoof wall resection to get at tissue & treat
Thrush
1. What is it?
2. Area it targets
3. Tx
- Infection of tissue of sole
- Starts in the grooves of the frog
- Clean & trim tissue, Tx with copper sulfate
Thrush is an infection that is typically due to ____ _____. It is black, ____ exudate in the grooves of the frog on the horse foot.
Poor management
malodorous
Trimming and shoeing horses protects from ____ and sensitive ___ from bruising. It helps improve “____ ____” to normal. May also improve balance and treat ____.
- Wear
- Sole
- Hoof angle
- Disease
What is the ideal hoof angle on a horse?
Forefeet:
Hindfeet:
Forefeet:
45-60 degrees
Hindfeet:
55-60 degrees
What is the reciprocal apparatus?
It is to support the the fore & hindlimbs.
This is what makes it so horses have to flex and contract their elbow/carpus, vice versa
