Horse ‒ Anatomy

The horse’s general form is characteristic of an animal of speed, the limbs are levered to muscle masses in such a way as to provide the most efficient use of energy, and the compact body is supported permanently on the tips of the toes, allowing fuller extension of the limbs in running. The foot of the horse is composed by the hoof, which protects the foot of the horse and helps him travel long distances. The horse, like other grazing herbivores, has typical adaptations for plant eating: a set of strong, high-crowned teeth, suited to grinding grasses and other harsh vegetation. The digestive system of a horse is about 30m long, and most of this is intestines. Horses have a relatively small stomach for their size, and this limits the amount of feed a horse can take in at one time. Horses have four distinct forms of movement. These are the walk, the trot, the canter and the gallop.