The Exterior Anatomy of the Horse

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1. Muzzle
2. Bridge of nose
3. Facial crest
4. Forehead
5. Forelock
6. Cheek (jowl)
7. Poll
8. Crest
9. Withers
10. Back
11. Loin
12. Croup
13. Dock
14. Buttock

15. Haunch
16. Hip
17. Thigh
18. Stifle
19. Quarter
20. Gaskin
21. Hock
22. Cannon
23. Ankle
24. Pastern
25. Coronet
26. Hoof
27. Flank
28. Abdomen

29. Barrel
30. Shoulder
31. Arm
32. Elbow
33. Forearm
34. Chest
35. Point of shoulder
36. Knee
37. Neck
38. Windpipe (trachea)
39. Throatlatch
40. Chestnut
41. Sheath
42. Ergot

Head Markings

Leg Markings

Body Colors


BLOOD BAY Reddish brown with black mane, tail and lower legs. General Term: BAY	SANDY BAY Light brown with black mane, tail and lower legs. General Term: BAY	APPALOOSA Usually dark spots over white hindquarter blanket with many variations.

SKEWBALD A brown and white spotted horse often called Pinto or Paint.	GRAY A horse born almost black, grows lighter with age, sometimes dappled or flecked.	PALOMINO Creamy to golden yellow with flaxen mane and tail.

LIVER CHESTNUT Dark reddish brown. Mane and tail same color as body or flaxen. If flaxen, called Cocoa Palomino. General Term: Chestnut	GOLDEN CHESTNUT Lighter shades of golden brown. Mane and tail same color. General Term: Chestnut	BROWN Deep brown, sometimes black with lighter brown areas at the muzzle, eyes and inner leg. General term: Bay, if dark Dark Bay or Black.

BLACK True black without any brownish areas.	STRABERRY ROAN A brown horse with mixture of white hairs all over. Gives reddish brown effect.	BLUE ROAN A back horse with mixture of white hairs, sometimes with some red, all over the body.

PIEBALD A black and white spotted horse, often called Pinto.	BUCKSKIN DUN Tan or smokey yellow with black mane, tail and dorsal stripe. Sometimes zebra striped legs.	RED DUN Reddish chestnut with darker mane, tail and dorsal stripe. Sometimes zebra striped legs.