Body Parts of a Horse

For those new to the horse world, it can seem like a bewildering jungle of exotic terms such as cantle, surcingle and ergot. None of these are more confusing--or more important--than those that refer to the body parts of the horse.

  1. Withers

    • The withers are the bony protrusion at the base of the horse's neck before the start of the back. The withers are important because horses are measured in "hands," which are increments of four inches, between the ground and the top of the withers

    Frog

    • The frog is a triangle of sensitive flesh in the middle of the underside of a horse's hoof. Care should be taken not to injure the frog while picking out a hoof.

    Poll

    • The poll is the spot at the very top of a horse's head between its ears. When ridden, the horse should flex its head at the poll.

    Barrel

    • A barrel is the rounded part of a horse's middle. A rider's leg should rest on the horse's barrel while mounted.

    Hock

    • The hock is the point that sticks out about two-thirds of the way down a horse's back leg. The horse uses this area when it collects or backs up. Since it sticks out, the hock is prone to injury.

    Loins

    • A horse's loins are located on its back just before the hindquarters start. The loins cover the horse's kidneys and should not support a rider.