A Picture Guide to the Different Parts of a Horse

arms or legs. This is part of the reason too that the fetlock is prone to strain and injury 2
The Pastern
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The pastern is made up of two bones that extend downwards from the fetlock. The upper bone is longer and the shorter lower bone extends into the hoof where it joins to the pedal bone inside.
The angle and length of the pastern are important to the strength and smoothness of gaits. Too long a pastern while providing supple shock absorbency for a smooth ride may not stand up to hard work. A short pastern will be strong but the horses gaits may be choppier.
The Back
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The back is the area that extends between the withers and the loins. Beneath the surface of the skin are the upright fins of the vertebrae. Along either side are many muscles. It is these upright boney process and muscles that we sit on when we ride. Relative to body size a short back is stronger for riding than a horse with a long back. Dropped or swaybacks lordosis can be genetic or a degenerative trait caused by aging 3
The Barrel
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The barrel is the area behind the girth area to the flank. Beneath is the ribcage that surrounds the horses vital organs. On the mare in the photo the barrel is distended from repeatedly carrying foals.
Loins
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The loins are the area just behind where the saddle sits above the flanks. This rooster is perched just behind the loin area. This area can be somewhat sensitive and ticklish especially if the rider uses a saddle that is too long.
The Flanks
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The slightly indented area behind the area of the barrel is the flank. This is the area you watch to count your horses respiration. If the flank appears unusually sunken this can mean your horse is dehydrated 4 Always have fresh clean water available for your horse summer and winter.
The Gaskin
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The gaskin is the muscular area between the stifle and the hock. The underlying bones are the tibia and the smaller fibula which are equivalent to our calf and shin bones.
Stifle
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Underlying the stifle area is the stifle joint formed between the large hip bone femur which is equivalent to our thigh bone and the tibia. The tibia runs from the stifle to the hock. The horses tibia is equivalent to our shin bone.

The stifle joint somewhat resembles a human knee. Injuries of the stifle joint are similar to injuries of the knee in humans.