morphology of a horse
mane
Long stiff hairs (horsehair) covering the neck used mainly to chase away insects.
withers
Portion of the body extending the neck and forming a protuberance above the shoulder.
back
Upper portion of the trunk opposite the belly between the withers and the loin.
loin
Upper portion of the body between the back and the croup; it transmits forward the propulsion from the hind limbs.
croup
Rear portion of the body between the loin and the base of the tail; it provides propulsion.
flank
Lateral portion of the body that ripples with the action of the muscles, which allows the horse to chase away insects and warm itself.
tail
Terminal appendage of the body with long hairs; the horse whips its tail to chase away insects.
thigh
Upper portion of the hind limb having large powerful muscles.
stifle
Articulation of the hind limb between the thigh and the leg formed of the patella and the skin that covers it.
gaskin
Portion of the hind limb between the stifle and hock.
hock
Articulation of the hind limb; it contributes to movement and absorbs shocks.
cannon
Portion of the hind limb between the hock and the fetlock joint supporting the horse’s weight.
pastern
Portion of the limbs between the fetlock joint and the coronet, corresponding to the first phalange of the finger.
hoof
Thick corneous casing covering and protecting the terminal end of the limb; it rests on the ground while the horse is walking and absorbs shocks.
coronet
Part of the limbs covering the upper edge of the hoof and corresponding to the second phalange of the finger.
fetlock
Tuft of hair located behind the fetlock joint.
fetlock joint
Articulation of the limbs between the cannon and the pastern forming a protuberance and acting as a shock absorber.
belly
Lower portion of the trunk opposite the back.
knee
Articulation of the forelimb located below the elbow between the forearm and the cannon; it contributes to movement and acts as a shock absorber.
elbow
Articulation of the forelimb between the upper arm and the forearm above the knee.
forearm
Part of the forelimb located between the shoulder and the elbow corresponding to the humerus.
chest
Front portion of the body located between the neck and the limbs.
shoulder
Upper portion of the forelimb attached to the trunk.
neck
Portion of the body supporting the head and attached to the withers, the shoulders and the chest.
cheek
Protruding side of the head behind the upper jaw.
lip
Each of two movable muscular folds forming the contour of the mouth and having a tactile function.
muzzle
Terminal end of the upper lip having a tactile and prehensile function.
nostril
Each of the orifices of the nose having a respiratory and olfactory function.
nose
Front portion of the head extending from the base of the eyes to the nostrils.
forelock
Tuft of long stiff hairs (horsehair) on the upper terminal end of the mane and falling onto the forehead between the ears.
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