The Horse Skeleton

The horse is a quadrupedal vegetarian and the horse skeleton is perfectly adapted for this lifestyle.

Bone has to be strong but yet flexible and elastic to protect them from fracturing. They give stability but they also store minerals like calcium, phosphorus and magnesium. Bones produce red and white blood cells.

The function of the bone defines its shape. The joints between the bones give the skeleton the mobility that is needed for movement.

• The equine skeleton has about 210 bones, nearly the same as a human.



• The horse has around 54 vertebrae that form the horses spine.

  The 7 cervical vertebrae form the neck, which has great flexibility.

  The 18 thoracic vertebrae, that form the wither and the part behind it have long processes. They can be up to 30 cm long.

  The 6 lumbar vertebrae have spinal and transverse processes (wings).

  The 5 sacral vertebrae are fused to the sacrum. The sacroiliac joins the spine at the sacrum to the pelvis. There is only very little movement possible in the sacroilliac joint.

  The 15-21 caudal verrtebrae form the tail of the horse.



• There is no joint between the horses forelimb and the rump. It is only attached with muscles and ligamnets which give the horse the flexibility e.g to jump.



• The horse carries about 60% of his weight on the forehand.


• The horses hind legs propel the horse forward. They are the "engine" of the horse.

Return from Horse Skeleton back to Horse Anatomy
Return to Holistic Hoof and Horsecare