Parts of a horse (part 2) Flashcards
Hock
Joint btwn the gaskin and cannon bone in rear leg
-ideally should be flat, clean-cut and long
Cannon
Bone btwn the knee and the fetlock joint
- visible from the front of the leg
- should be straight, short and long
Pastern
From the fetlock to the top of the hook
- shock absorber
- should be 45%
Cornet
Band around the top of the hoof from which the hoof wall grows
Abdomen/belly
Found behind the ribs
-should be round
Hoof
Horny wall and sole of the foot
Fetlock
Joint btwn the cannon bone and the pastern
-important for smoothness of ride
Elbow
Bony prominence lying against the chest at the beginning of the forearm
Chestnuts
The horny growths located on the inside of the horse’s legs, above the knees and below the hocks
-unique to each horse
Knee
Joint in the front leg
- bends forward
- equivalent of the human wrist
- should be broad thick and vertical
Forearm
Extends from the elbow to the knee
-should be well-muscled and vertical
Arm
Muscles around and attached to the humerus bone that connects to the shoulder blade
Chest/breast
Muscle mass btwn the forelegs (front legs), covering the front of the chest
-should be well developed and form an inverted V
Neck
Should be slightly arched, blend smoothly into the withers and shoulders
Throat latch
Where the wind pipe (trachea), esophagus and blood vessels transverse transverse from the head to the body
-should be fine at the throat latch to allow the horse ease of flexation
