Parts of a Horse and Conformation: A Plain Guide to Horse Anatomy for Owners and Buyers

The head and neck

• Poll: the top of the head, between the ears. The bridle's crownpiece sits just behind it.
• Forelock: the part of the mane that falls between the ears onto the forehead.
• Muzzle: the nose, nostrils, lips and chin, very sensitive and covered in whiskers.
• Throatlatch: where the head joins the neck underneath. A clean, not-too-thick throatlatch lets a horse flex at the poll and breathe easily.
• Crest: the top line of the neck where the mane grows. A thick, hard crest can be a sign of metabolic problems. See laminitis.

The body

• Withers: the bony ridge where the neck meets the back, at the top of the shoulder blades. Height is measured here. See how to measure a horse.
• Shoulder: the large sloping area from the withers down to the point of the shoulder.
• Point of shoulder: the bony point at the front of the chest.
• Chest: the front of the body between the front legs.
• Back: behind the withers, where the saddle sits.
• Loin: the short section between the back and the croup, over the kidneys. It has no ribs underneath, so it's the weakest part of the topline.
• Barrel: the rib cage and belly.
• Girth: the area just behind the front legs, where the girth or cinch goes. Heart girth is measured around it.
• Flank: the area between the last rib and the hindquarters.
• Croup: the top of the hindquarters, from the loin to the tail.
• Point of hip: the bony point on each side at the front of the hindquarters.
• Dock: the bony part of the tail.
• Point of buttock: the rearmost point of the hindquarters.

The legs

Many horse leg parts correspond to parts of a human body, but the names don't match, which confuses many beginners.

In other words, a horse stands on the tip of a single, very large middle finger on each leg.

Chestnuts and ergots

• Chestnuts are rough, horny patches on the inside of the legs, above the knees on the front legs and below the hocks on the hind legs. Every horse's chestnuts are a unique shape, a bit like fingerprints. They're thought to be remnants of toes from the horse's distant ancestors. You can peel them back gently when they get long.
• Ergots are small, horny bumps at the back of the fetlock, often hidden in hair.

What good conformation looks like

Conformation describes how a horse's bones, muscles and proportions fit together. Good conformation helps a horse move efficiently, carry a rider comfortably and stay sound.

Look at the horse standing square on level ground, first from the side, then from the front and back.

Overall balance

• The body can be divided roughly into three similar sections: shoulder, barrel, and hindquarters.
• The withers and the croup are roughly the same height, or the withers slightly higher. A horse higher at the croup than the withers ("downhill") tends to carry more weight on its front end.
• The neck ties into the chest at a moderate height, neither too low nor too high.

Shoulder and back

• A sloping shoulder, at roughly 45 degrees, usually gives a longer, smoother stride. A very upright shoulder tends to give a shorter, choppier one.
• A back of moderate length. A short back is strong but may be less flexible. A very long back can be weak, especially with a long loin.
• A short, strong loin that connects well to the hindquarters.

Front legs

From the side, a straight line from the middle of the forearm should run down through the knee, cannon and fetlock to the back of the heel. From the front, a line from the point of the shoulder should split the leg and hoof in half.

Common faults:

• Back at the knee (calf-kneed): the knee bends slightly backward. Puts strain on the knee and tendons.
• Over at the knee: the knee sits slightly forward. Usually less of a problem.
• Toed in (pigeon-toed) or toed out (splay-footed): puts uneven stress on joints and can make a horse knock its legs together.
• Tied in below the knee: the cannon bone looks narrower just below the knee, which can mean weaker tendons.

Hind legs

From the side, a straight line from the point of the buttock should touch the back of the hock and run down the back of the cannon. From behind, a line from the point of the buttock should split the hock, cannon and hoof.

Common faults:

• Sickle hocked: the hind leg angles too far forward under the body. Stresses the hock.
• Post-legged: the hind leg is too straight. Can stress the stifle and hock.
• Cow hocked: the hocks point toward each other and the hooves point out.
• Camped out or camped under: the legs sit too far behind or too far under the body.

Pasterns and feet

• Pasterns should slope at about the same angle as the shoulder and the hoof. Long, sloping pasterns give a smooth ride but strain tendons. Short, upright pasterns absorb less shock and can lead to joint problems.
• Feet should be in proportion to the horse, with the hoof angle matching the pastern. Small feet on a big horse have to absorb a lot of force. See hoof care and trimming.

What conformation means for buyers

No horse has perfect conformation. Many successful horses have obvious flaws. When you're shopping:

• Think about the job. A slightly upright pastern matters more for a jumper landing over fences than for a horse that walks trails. A long back matters more for a horse carrying a heavy rider.
• Watch the horse move. A horse with a flaw that moves straight and sound may be a better buy than a beautiful one that doesn't.
• Look at the record. An older horse that's stayed sound in hard work has shown its conformation works.
• Ask your vet to comment on conformation during the pre-purchase exam. See buying your first horse.

Sources

• University of Minnesota Extension: Conformation of the Horse
• University of Georgia Extension: Evaluating Horse Conformation
• University of Missouri Extension: Horse Conformation (G2843)