Parts of the Horse
Learn to identify the parts horse, learn about conformation, & the parts of the hoof
What Is Conformation?
A horse’s conformation is the way a horse is built.
Good conformation improves movement and performance, allows for smoother gaits and makes horses and ponies less likely to go lame.
Parts of the Horse
The diagram below shows many of the names of the parts of horses.
Horse & Skeleton Overlay
Drag the slider below to see an illustration of the skeletal structure of a horse.
Conformation Faults
- Large course head
- Small “pig eyes”
- Narrow jaw
- Small nostrils
- Short neck
- Dips on the top & bulges on the bottom (ewe neck)
- Short, upright shoulders
- High withers
- Sway back
- Goose rump
- Tail set too low
- Short, upright pasterns
- Camped under hindlegs
- Pasterns with too much slope
Good Conformation
- Large kind eyes
- Wide Jaw
- Large nostrils
- Medium-length neck that is slightly arched
- Long, sloping shoulder
- Well-muscled back
- Pasterns a medium length and slope
Parts of the Horse Free Download
Parts of the Hoof
Horse Hind Leg Conformation
When viewing a horse from behind, there should be a straight line from the point of the buttocks down to the center of the hoof.

Correct

Narrow
Conformation Fault

Wide
Conformation Fault

Bow Legged
Conformation Fault

Cow Hocked
Conformation Fault
When viewing a horse from the side, there should be a straight line from the point of the buttocks down the back of the leg.

Correct

Camped Out
Conformation Fault

Sickle Hocked
Conformation Fault

Post-Legged
Conformation Fault
Horse Front Leg Conformation
When viewing a horse from the front, there should be a straight line down the forearm to the center of the hoof.

Correct

Base Narrow
Conformation Fault

Knock Kneed
Conformation Fault

Bow Legged
Conformation Fault

Pigeon Toed
Conformation Fault

Splay Footed
Conformation Fault

Correct

Calf Kneed
(Back at the knee)
Conformation Fault

Buck Kneed
(Over at the knee)
Conformation Fault
Horse Drawing Activities
Draw a Horse's Face
Go to the Drawing App or Download a PDF
Draw a Horse's Head
Go to the Drawing App or Download a PDF
Draw a Jumping Horse
Go to the Drawing App or Download a PDF
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