Horse Facts and Equestrian Sports

Horse Facts - A Little Basic Anatomy

March 6th, 2008 Subscribe To Our Feed

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I wrote an article for another publication a couple of days ago about Laminitis, a crippling condition. It occurred to me when doing this that among the horse facts any owner should know are a few basics of anatomy so I have put together some thoughts here. If you want to be sure that you are looking after your horse in the best way possible you should undertake some basic study of horse anatomy. You can do this by studying on your own or you can speak to your vet to find out the basics.

One basic thing that most horse owners know but rarely remember is that laying down is not easy on your horse. A horse’s body is not intended to lay down for long periods of time, which is why you should be aware that if your horse is laying down, there is probably something wrong with him. If a horse lays down for any amount of time they risk damage to their internal organs, so if you observe this you should call your vet immediately and discuss it with him.

A horse’s legs are probably the most easily damaged part of his anatomy. They carry his weight, and support him while he is sleeping, despite the fact that they are very thin. If a horse gets a broken leg, there will potentially be many problems because he won’t be able to lie down to rest it, which means that the healing process can be quite painful and long drawn out. What this means for you is that you have to be sure to always care for your horse’s legs and feet. Hoof care is a also critical and warrents a whole topic to itself

Another thing that you must take care of is your horse’s skin and coat. You should focus on them because they protect your horse and help keep him happy and healthy. You should be grooming your horse daily, and especially after each time you ride him. Make sure his coat is clean and his mane and tail are free of tangles and any bits of twig or briar that may have caught whilst you were out.

Horses are incredible strong animals with very bodies that are designed to work well when being ridden or just running free. Don’t take advantage of your horse’s willingness to work and overtire him. He needs his rest just as much as you do. There is a great deal more to be said on horse anatomy but these few short tips will add to your store of horse facts and help keep your horse healthy.