Horse Articles:Anatomy of a Horse

The horse's skeleton is composed of approximately 210 individual bones (excluding those in the tail). The skeleton gives support for the muscles protection for the internal organs and possesses the necessary mobility of its parts for the horse to move at various speeds or lie down or graze.

Varying degrees of mobility are provided by differing types of joints; for example the joint between the femur and tibia which forms the stifle gives great mobility while those between two vertebrae in the backbone allow restricted movement only. The bones forming all joints are capped with cartilage which is softer than bone and can make good the effects of wear and tear at the surface. The joint is completed by a capsule which produces synovia ( joint oil) to lubricate the joint surfaces and it is strengthened by ligaments i.e. fibrous bands connecting the bones on either side of the joint. The way in which a joint can move is controlled by the shape of the joint surface and the position of the ligaments and other supporting structures which pass over it. The fetlock for example can be flexed further than it can be extended; the knee can only be flexed whereas the stifle joint can be moved to some extent in several directions.

The skeleton has several examples of nature's way of adapting structure to meet particular requirements or function. The broad flat surface of the scapula or shoulder blade and transverse processes of the lumbar vertebrae provide ample space for the attachment of the powerful muscles required to move the fore and hind limbs. The special features of the skull are the relatively elongated face providing space for the teeth and their roots; and the orbits housing the eyes which are placed well above ground level when the horse is grazing. These provide it with a greater area of vision to look out for impending danger.