Skeletal System:
* Number of Ribs: Cattle have 13 pairs of ribs, while horses have 18 pairs.
* Vertebrae: Horses have a longer neck with more vertebrae than cattle.
* Limbs: Cattle have four stomachs, while horses have one stomach.
* Digestive System: Cattle are ruminants, meaning they have a four-chambered stomach that allows them to digest tough plant matter. Horses are hindgut fermenters, with a simple stomach and a large cecum where fermentation takes place. This results in different dietary requirements.
* Feet: Cattle have cloven hooves, while horses have single hooves.
Musculoskeletal System:
* Muscles: Cattle have heavier musculature in their shoulders and back, reflecting their grazing habits. Horses have longer legs and a stronger musculature in their hindquarters, developed for running and jumping.
* Bones: Horses have longer limbs and a lighter skeletal structure overall, while cattle have a heavier build.
Other Notable Differences:
* Teeth: Cattle have a continuous growth of molars, while horses have teeth that erupt and wear down throughout life.
* Eyes: Horses have a wider field of vision than cattle, with better binocular vision.
* Brain: Horses have a larger brain relative to their body size than cattle, which correlates with their higher level of intelligence and trainability.
* Social Behavior: Cattle are typically herd animals, while horses can be solitary or live in small family groups.
In conclusion: While cattle and horses share some basic anatomical features as mammals, their evolutionary history and adaptations to different environments have resulted in significant differences in their skeletal, muscular, digestive, and other systems.