1.
Anatomical terminologies
Ankle:
The area that extends from the coronet to and including the fetlock.
Barrel:
The area of the horse's body between the forelegs and the loins.
Bars:
In the horse's mouth, the fleshy area between the front and back teeth, where the bit
rests.
Blemish:
A permanent mark or scar made by either an injury or disease. Examples of blemishes
include curbs and girth galls.
Bone:
The ratio of the bone to the horse's weight. The measurement of the bone is taken
around the leg, just below the knee or hock. This ratio determines the horse's ability to
carry weight; therefore, a light-boned horse will be limited a in weight-carrying capacity.
Brand:
A mark of identification. A private registered mark burned on cheek, shoulder, or hip. A
number burned on upper neck as in army horses. Temporary brands are made by
burning a number on the hoof, or painting a mark on the skin with silver nitrate. Brands
are now tattooed on the inside of the upper lip to avoid disfiguring the body.
Bug-eyed:
Eye protruding: horse usually cannot see well.
Calf-kneed:
A conformation fault in which the foreleg is bowed back at the knee. It strains the
tendons running down the back of the lower leg and places concussive force on the
knee. Also called "Back at the Knee."
Cannon Bone:
The long bone of the lower foreleg between the knee and the fetlock. Also called the
"shin bone." On the hind leg, the corresponding bone is called the shank.
Capped Hocks:
Swelling or puffiness on the point of the hock. Can be caused by a blow or injury, or may
be caused by a horse lying down repeatedly in a stable with insufficient bedding.
Chestnuts:
The horny growths on the inside of the horse's leg, either above the knee or below the
hock; also called "night eyes."
Chin Groove:
The groove above the lower lip in which the curb chain of a curb bit lies.
Clean-legged:
Without feathering on the lower legs.
Coarse:
Lacking refinement; rough, harsh appearance.
Coffin Bone:
Small bone within the hoof. In severe cases of laminitis, this bone can detach and rotate,
causing extreme lameness. See also Founder.
Coon Footed:
A conformation fault in which the angle of the pastern becomes more horizontal and the
fetlock drops.
Coupling:
Region of the lumbar vertebrae, loin, or space between last rib and hip.
Cow-hocks:
A condition in which the hocks turn in, like those of a cow. Opposite of bow-hocks.
Crest:
Upper, curved part of neck, peculiar to stallions.
Croup:
The top of the hind quarters, from the point of the hip to the tail.
Defect:
Any mark or blemish that impairs usefulness: unsoundness.
Depth of Girth:
The measurement from the wither to the elbow. A horse with a generous measurement
between these points is said to have a "good depth of girth."
Dipped Back:
An unusually hollow back between the withers and the croup. Can occur as a result of
old age.
Dished Face:
The concave head profile seen in breeds such as the Arabian.
Dock:
The bony part of the tail, from which the hair grows.
Docked:
Bones of the tail cut in shortening the tail.
Docking:
Amputation of the dock for the sake of appearance. (Illegal in the UK)
Ergot:
Horny growth at the back of the fetlock joint.
Ewe Neck:
Conformation fault in which the neck appears to be "upside down," concave along its
upper edge with a consequent bulging of muscles along the lower edge.
Eyes and Face:
Normally horses have rich brown eyes with black pupils, and no white shows around the
edges. When the eyeball is clear, some shade between white and blue, he is normally
termed China-eyed, Glass-eyed, Cotton-eyed, or Blue-eyed. If one eye is defective, he is
called a Wall-eye.
Far side:
The right side of a horse.
Feathering:
Long hair on the lower legs and fetlocks. Abundant on heavy horse breeds.
Fetlock (Joint):
The joint between the long cannon bone and the pastern bone.
Flat-footed:
When the angle of the foot is noticeably less than 45 degrees.
Flexion:
When the horse yields the lower jaw to the bit, with the neck bent at the poll. The term
also describes the full bending of the hock joints. Veterinarians perform "flexion tests"
when diagnosing lameness.
Flexor Tendon:
Tendon at the back of the horse's leg that bends the joint below the knee backward.
Forearm:
The upper part of the foreleg, above the knee.
Forelock:
The mane between the ears, which hangs forward over the forehead.
Frog:
Triangular, rubber pad on the sole of the foot which acts as a shock absorber.
Full Mouth:
A six-year-old horse, with all his permanent teeth is said to have a "full mouth."
Galvayne's Groove:
Dark line which appears on the upper corner incisor of horses between 8 and 10 years of
age. Since it extends downward gradually, it can be used to estimate the age of a horse.
Gaskin:
The lower part of the horse's thigh, between the hock and the stifle.
Girth:
The circumference of the body measured from behind the withers around the barrel.
Glass Eye:
Blue or whitish eye.
Goose-rumped:
Pronounced muscular development at the croup seen in some jumping horses.
Sometimes called "jumper's bump."
Haw:
A third eyelid or membrane in front of eye which removes foreign bodies from the eye.
Heart Room:
Term used to describe a horse's barrel. A deep-chested horse with well-sprung ribs is
said to have plenty of heart room. Indicates that the horse will have enough heart and
lung capacity to stand up to strenuous exercise.
Herring Gutted:
Term used to describe a horse with a barrel that slopes up sharply behind the girth, like
that of a greyhound.
Hindquarters:
The part of the horse's body from the rear of the flank to the top of the tail down to the
top of the gaskin. Also called simply, the quarters.
Hock:
Joint midway up the hind leg, responsible for providing most of the forward energy of the
horse.
Hocks Well Let Down:
Term used to indicate a horse that has short cannon bones (shanks) which is considered
to be a good conformational trait giving the horse strength in the legs. Long cannons, on
the other hand, are considered a conformational weakness.
Hoof:
The foot, as a whole in horses. The curved covering of horn over the foot.
Horn:
Hard, insensitive outer covering of the hoof.
Knock-Kneed:
Conformation fault in which the knees point in toward each other.
Laminae:
The horny-grooved inside of the hoof.
Lateral Cartilages:
Wings of cartilage attached to the coffin bone, within the foot.
Light of Bone:
Insufficient bone below the knee to support the horse and rider's body weight without
strain. Conformation fault.
Loins:
The weakest part of the horses back, lying either side of the vertebrae, just behind the
saddle.
Mitbah:
Term used to describe the angle of, at which the neck of the Arabian horse joins the
head and which gives the characteristic arched set to the neck.
Mutton Withers:
Withers that are wide and flat seen in horses such as the Quarter Horse, as opposed to
the prominent, bony withers often seen in the Thoroughbred.
Navicular Bone:
Small bone within the hoof, fitting horizontally between the second phalanx, or short
pastern and the coffin bone.
Nick:
The division and resetting of the muscles under the tail to give an artificially high tail
carriage. (See also Set Tail.)
Open Behind:
Conformation fault in which the hocks are far apart, and the feet close together.
Parietal Bones:
The bones on the top of the skull.
Parrot Mouth:
Overbite in a horse. The top jaw extends forward over the lower jaw.
Pastern:
The sloping bone in the foot which connects the hoof to the fetlock.
Paunchy:
Too much belly.
Pigeon-toed:
Conformation fault in which the feet are turned inward.
Points:
External features of the horse making up its conformation.
Poll:
The highest point on the top of the horse's head.
Pudgy:
Short and thickset.
Quarters:
The part of the horse's body from the rear of the flank to the top of the tail down to the
top of the gaskin. Also called the hindquarters.
Rat-tailed:
A horse having but little hair on its tail.
Ridgling/Rig:
Male horse that has retained one testicle within the body. Can cause stallion-like
behavior. Treated with surgery.
Roach Back:
Convex curvature of the spine between the withers and the loins. Opposite of hollow
back.
Rolling:
Excessive lateral shoulder motion: characteristic of horses with protruding shoulders.
Roman Nose:
The convex facial profile seen in Shires and other heavy breeds.
Rubberneck:
A horse with a very flexible neck, hard to rein.
Saddle Marks:
White hairs in the saddle area, probably caused by galls.
Scalping:
The hairline at top of the forefoot if hindfoot hits toe of forefoot as it breaks over.
Scope:
A horse which has scope shows potential and capability for freedom and movement to a
special degree.
Set Tail:
A tail that has been broken or nicked to produce an artificially high tail carriage.
Shank Bone:
Hind cannon bone.
Sickle Hocks:
Hocks which are bent, giving the hindleg the shape of a sickle, with the hind legs too far
under the body. Although considered a conformation fault, this trait is desired by some
reiners as the horse has to almost sit down in some of the reining patterns.
Slab-sided:
Narrow ribbed.
Stargazer:
A horse that holds his head too high and his nose out.
Stringhalt:
Condition characterized by the over-flexion of the hind legs, in which the leg often is
jerked up toward the belly at each step.
Suspensory Ligament:
Ligaments that run from below the knee or hock to below the fetlock, helping to stabilize
the fetlock and prevent over-extension.
Symmetrical:
Proper balance or relationship of all parts.
Tied in Below the Knee:
Conformation fault in which the circumference of the cannon bone directly below the
knee is substantially less than that above the fetlock.
Top Heavy:
Overdeveloped (heavy) body in relation to the substance of the legs.
Top Line:
The line from the back of the withers to the end of the croup.
Tucked up:
Thin and cut up in the flank like a greyhound.
Undershot:
A deformity in which the lower jaw projects beyond the upper.
Unsoundness:
Term used to describe any condition, or conformation fault that limits the horse's ability to
perform his job. May include conditions of the muscles, bones, heart, lungs, or other
organs.
Up to Weight:
Term used to describe a horse that, by virtue of its size, substance and conformation, is
capable of carrying substantial weight.
Vertical:
Used to describe the horse's head set, as in on the vertical.
Walleyed:
Iris of the eye is light in color.
Weedy:
A horse of poor conformation, generally weak in the quarters and shoulders, with long
legs.
Well Ribbed-Up:
A short, deep, well-rounded body with well-sprung ribs.
Well-Sprung Ribs:
Long rounded ribs giving ample room for lung expansion, well suited to carrying a
saddle.
Winding or Rope-walking:
A twisting of the striding leg around in front of supporting leg, which results in contact like
that of a rope-walking artist; often occurs in horses with very wide fronts.
Withers:
Point at the bottom of the horse's neck from which the horse's height is measured.
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2. Parts of Hoof
● External
The wall. The wall is related to the papillae of the sensitive coronary band and
the laminae of the sensitive laminae. The horn tubules are primarily responsible
for hoof strength, elasticity, and resistance to wear. The inside structure of the
wall is composed of horny laminae leaves, which interdigitate with the leaves of
the sensitive laminae. This relationship permits the hoof to grow downward and
have shock-absorbing capacity.
The toe. The toe is the very front portion of the hoof and hoof wall.
The sole. The thickness and consistency of the sole protects the coffin bone from
injury and fracture due to hard objects the horse may encounter when traveling
over uneven surfaces.
The frog. The frog’s consistency and shape functions as an anti-concussion and
traction device. At varying times during the year (usually twice a year) the frog
sheds. When this happens, the horse’s feet are usually tender for a short time.
The white line. The sensitive laminae gives rise to the white line. The white line is
actually yellowish in color. It is normally about 1/8 inch wide. The white line
separates the wall from the sole and can be seen when looking at the bottom of
the hoof.
Quarters. The quarters are located on the sides of the hoof wall. The quarters are
the narrowest area of the hoof wall. The hoof wall is widest at the toe and tapers
down as it approaches the quarters.
The bars. The bars extend down from the heels and are important in preventing
contracted heels. Contracted heels occur when the heels get closer together.
The heels. The heels are formed at the end of the hoof wall and below the bulbs
of the hoof.
Bulbs. The bulbs of the heel are elastic, tacky, and greasy to the touch. They are
located on the back of the hoof where the wall, heels, and coronary band come
together.
Cleft of the frog. The cleft of the frog is the triangle-shaped area in the center of
the frog.
Commissure of the frog. The commissure of the frog is the valley between the
frog and the bars of the hoof. This area needs to be cleaned regularly to prevent
the possibility of thrush developing.
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● Internal
Inside the hoof, lateral cartilages extend back and up from the inner and outer
sides of the third phalanx. These cartilages are flexible, but as the horse ages,
they are usually ossified and replaced by bone. Between the second and third
phalanges and above the deep flexor muscle tendon is a small bone called the
navicular bone. The navicular bone and its associated bursa — a fluid-filled sac
that reduces friction between the tendon and the bone.
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3. Horse coat color
a. Bay
A bay is any reddish, brown or dark brown color with black points. A very dark
bay can be confused with black. Look for red undertones in the body and black
points.
b. Black
A black horse has a black coat and black points. Most black horses have white
skin. A black with black skin is called a true black. Sometimes the Sun will burn
reddish highlights into a black coat.
c. Brown
A brown horse is brown with no black points. The color is more like chocolate, not
reddish. Brown horses can be very dark, sometimes mistaking them for a black.
d. Chestnut
The chestnut color is basically red. It can vary from light to dark. They have no
black points. A liver chestnut is a very dark chestnut. Notice the liver chestnut
could be confused for a brown, if not for the reddish mane and tail.
e. Sorrel
A sorrel is a light reddish/yellow color. The mane and tail can be blonde or same
as the body. In Europe it would be called a light chestnut. Here in America we call
it sorrel.
f.
Palomino
The palomino is a golden color with a white mane and tail. The Palomino is
considered a color breed, meaning they can be registered with the Palomino
breed association if they meet all requirements.
g. Buckskin or Dun
The terms buckskin and dun are often used interchangeably, but there are
differences. Buckskin is a yellowish gray with dark points. Dun tends to have
more red in the coat. What's the difference between a dun and a bay? Duns have
a dorsal stripe sometimes accompanied by a shoulder stripe or zebra stripes on
the legs.
h. Cream
The cream color comes from the 'cream' gene. The cream gene dilutes the base
colors chestnut, bay and black. When it dilutes palomino or buckskin, it gets even
lighter.
i. Gray
A truly white horse is very rare. Most white horses are really a light gray. Gray
horses are often darker at birth and become lighter and lighter with age. The gray
coat is made up of white hairs and hairs with color in them. Gray can be light or
dark.
j. Dapple Gray
Dapple gray coloring is gray with distinct white marks splattered throughout the
coat. When a dapple gray has black points, it can be called a blue roan as well.
k. Grullo
The Grullo color comes from a Dun overlay on a black. The hairs are mousy
colored. They have dark points. They can have a dorsal stripe, zebra stripes
(bars) on legs or a mask (dark face).
l. Blue Roan
A Blue roan is a dark base color with white hairs mixed in. A Blue roan has dark
points and black undertones
m. Red Roan
A Red roan has a chestnut base color with white hairs mixed in and red or dark
red/brown points. They can have red or blonde mane and tail.
n.
Appaloosa
An Appaloosa is a spotted or speckled horse often with roaning. It is both a color
and a breed of horse. They have spotted coats, mottled skin, white sclera and
striped hooves.
o. Paint vs Pinto
The terms Paint and Pinto both refer to large spotted patterns on a horse. The
difference is breed. A Paint horse can only be Quarter Horse or Thoroughbred
lineage. Pinto is used to describe a spotted horse of any breed.
p. Roan and Dapples
Roan or roaning on a horse is sometimes called varnish. Roaning occurs when
white hairs are mixed in with the base coat color. Dapples are lighter colored
round spots on the coat. They can be faint or pronounced. Some dapples are
seasonal, appearing only on a Summer coat.
q. Tabiano vs Overo
Tabiano and Overo refer to the spot patterns of Paint horses. Tabiano has white
spots that cross over the top line. With the Overo pattern, the white markings
never cross over the top of the back, neck or rump. Tovero is used for Paints that
are not clearly Tabiano or Overo.
r.
Appaloosa Patterns
The blanket Appaloosa has a distinct white marking spread across the rump. It
may or may not contain spots. A leopard Appaloosa has distinct leopard like
spots over a white coat.
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4. Markings
● Facial Horse Markings
A star is a white mark on the forehead. It can be large or small.
Star
A snip is a white mark on the nose/muzzle area. It can be large or small
Snip
Lip marks are focused on the mouth, while a white muzzle includes the whole
muzzle area.
Lip Marks
White Muzzle
A stripe is a narrow mark that runs down the length of the face.
Stripe
A Blaze is much wider than a stripe and can take up much of the face.
Blaze
A bald or white face has the white extending past the eyes. Often accompanied
by blue eyes.
Bald
● Nathalie Candice Serenity Zin Maxpein Rainy Krystal Penelope Horse Markings on the
Legs and Hooves
A coronet or ermine is a white marking around the coronet just above the hoof.
Coronet
A partial pastern is a bit of white on the pastern that does not go all the way around to
form a sock.
Partial Pastern
A pastern is a white marking on the pastern portion of the leg.
Pastern
A sock is white on the lower leg below the knee.
Sock
A boot is a white leg that extends higher than a sock and stays below the knee.
Boot
A stocking is a white leg that includes the knee or even higher.
Stocking
Zebra, stripes or bars are the black horizontal marks found on the legs. They are most
often found above the knee, but not always.
Zebra, Stripes or Bars
Zebra, Stripes or Bars
Points refer to black legs on any colored horse other than black.
Black Points
Black or Blue Hoof
White Hoof
Striped hoof
Feathers
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5. Normal physiological data
Body Temperature
Foals are not very effective at regulating their body temperature until about
2 months of age. An adult horse’s temperature can vary during the tempera-
ture extremes of different seasons. In winter, a horse’s temperature may drop
to 97ºF (36ºC). Intense competition or summer heat may raise a horse’s tem-
perature, so take into consideration what your horse was doing before you
took his temperature. The real worry is a temperature rise seen with infection.
If your horse’s temperature is above 102º F (38.9ºC), call your veterinarian.
Adult horse (mares and stallions): 99.5 to 101ºF (37.5 to 38.3ºC)
Foal: 99 to 102ºF (37.2 to 38.9ºC)
Heart Rate
The horse’s pulse is the rate at which his heart is beating. The normal pulse
rate is most often taken by listening to the heart on the left side of the chest,
just behind the elbow. Fit horses may have a pulse rate as low as 28 beats per
minute. If the rate is above 40, the horse should be evaluated by a veterinar-
ian. Rates of 40 to 60 beats per minute are serious, and are often accompanied
by elevated temperatures. Rates over 80 are critical.
These rates apply only to the horse at rest. Exercise and excitement will
temporarily elevate the pulse. Reasons for a persistently raised pulse rate
include:
Pain
• Fever
• Heat exhaustion
• Shock
• Heart disease
Adult horse: 30 to 45 beats per minute at rest
Nursing foal (1 month of age): 70 to 90 beats per minute
Respiratory rate
Respiratory Rate
There are many factors that determine whether the horse’s breathing is
abnormal. It is important to observe and note anything other than quiet easy
breathing. Observe his breathing for anything out of the ordinary, including:
• Deep breathing
• Breathing with an extra abdominal effort
• Abnormal breath noises
• Labored breathing
• Gasping
Determine the respiratory rate by observing and counting the movements
of the horse’s nostrils or flanks.
Adult horse: 10 to 20 breaths per minute
Average: 12 breaths per minute at rest
Foal: First 15 minutes of life, 60 to 80 breaths per minute; then 20 to
40 breaths per minutes until 4 to 6 months of age.
Mucous Membrane Color
Check the gums for mucous membrane color. In a normal horse, the mem-
branes are pink. Some abnormal conditions and their corresponding mucous
membrane color include:
• Pale pink: low perfusion (fluid passing through the blood vessels), indi-
cating shock
• Deep red: also a shock condition, usually with toxicity
• Purple or blue: low oxygen levels or serious toxicosis
• Yellowish: some yellow may be normal, but very yellow (the whites of
the eyes may also look yellow) may indicate jaundice
Borborygmus
Borborygmus is the gut sounds of a horse digesting his feed. There should be a
normal gurgling on both sides of the abdomen near the flanks. You should def-
initely listen to this sound while the horse is healthy so you can establish what
is normal for your horse. The sounds are best heard with a stethoscope. There
should be two long rolls, followed by several small gurgles over a period of
about one minute. Absence of sounds or fast sounds are abnormal.
Hydration
Hydration
The best way to determine a horse’s state of hydration is through blood tests.
However, a skin turgor test, in which the skin over the shoulder is pinched,
can be used as a quick guide. If the skin snaps back quickly, the horse is ade-
quately hydrated. Any delay means the horse needs further evaluation. Older
horses will have more relaxed skin.
Reproductive Data
Reproductive Data
Reproductive maturity (mares and stallions): 36 months
Natural breeding season (northern hemisphere): April to September
Length of estrous cycle: 21 to 23 days during natural breeding season
Length of estrus (heat): 4 to 8 days
Length of gestation (pregnancy): 320 to 370 days; average is 340 days
Gore, P., Gore, T., & Griffin, J. (2008). Horse Owner's Veterinary Handbook (3rd ed.).
N.p.: Howell Book House. Retrieved from [Link]