The pastern joint is one of those structures that rarely gets attention until something goes wrong. Yet it plays an essential role in how a horse moves, carries weight, and stays sound. Understanding this joint gives you a clearer picture of how the limb functions as a whole, and why small changes in conformation or workload can have significant consequences.

Horse muscle anatomy is the study of the major muscle groups that help a horse move, support posture, stay balanced, and generate power. For horse owners and students, understanding horse muscles can make it easier to evaluate topline, conditioning, movement, and changes in the body over time. This guide explains the main muscle regions of the horse, what they do, and why they matter in practical everyday terms. Horse muscle anatomy at a glance Neck  supports balance and head

Learn all the anatomical parts involved in the equine fetlock joint

A deep dive into the equine hip joint covering osteology, articular structures, ligaments and biomechanics

Learn the anatomy of the equine mouth, and how bits interact with it.

Learn the biomechanical principles that govern hoof landing, impact forces, and breakover mechanics.

This quick and easy calculator can help farriers estimate the cost of shoeing and trimming horses.

Learn about the gait deviation called paddling or winging out - what causes it, and whether it's considered an issue for the horse.

Learn the causes, consequences, and management strategies for interfering: a common equine gait fault.

Understand what causes gait faults in horses, how to recognize them, and how training, riding, and hoof care management can influence them.

Learn what causes high-low syndrome, or uneven feet, in horses.

Learn the cause, treatment and prevention of quarter cracks

This article dives deeper into the equine nervous system. Learn how this system influences movement, emotion, coordination, and neurological disorders.

Learn about club feet: what causes them and how they are classified.

Learn the basics of the equine nervous system: how it affects behavior, health, learning, and the horse's perception of the world

Saddle fitting is a crucial, yet often overlooked, aspect of equestrianism that directly affects the comfort and performance of both...

Navicular Disease, its history, and the term’s path to obsolescence The term navicular disease has been in literature for hundreds of...

Every movement your horse makes, from grazing quietly to clearing a jump, depends on the coordinated function of its joints. Understanding how joints work gives you a clearer picture of soundness, performance, and where problems can develop.

What is thrush? Thrush is an anaerobic bacteria and fungus found in the intestinal tract of hooved animals, such as horses. “Anaerobic” means that it grows and thrives in the absence of oxygen. Once thrush gets into a horse’s foot, it attacks the frog, central sulcus, and collateral sulci. In some cases, the infection may also create secondary complications like white line separation or seedy toe , especially if poor hoof hygiene continues. Although thrush is a somewhat commo

What is a tendon A tendon is a tough, flexible band of fibrous connective tissue that connects muscle to bone. It transmits the force...