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Membrane
A membrane in equine anatomy is a thin, pliable sheet of tissue that lines, covers, encloses, or separates structures in the body. The horse has several membranes of clinical importance, each defined by its location and function. The synovial membrane (synovium) lines the interior of every joint capsule, tendon sheath, and bursa. It secretes synovial…
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Andalusian Horse
The Andalusian is an Iberian warmblood originating in the region of Andalusia in southern Spain. Its official name under the Spanish studbook is Pura Raza Espanola, abbreviated PRE, meaning Pure Spanish Horse. The two terms are used interchangeably, though PRE is the precise registry designation. Registry and Studbook The PRE studbook is maintained by the…
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Pons
The pons is a broad band of white matter on the ventral surface of the brainstem, situated between the medulla oblongata caudally and the mesencephalon (midbrain) rostrally, forming the middle of the three brainstem segments. In the horse, as in all mammals, it functions as the primary relay and integration center between the cerebral cortex,…
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Stoma
A stoma is an opening in a body surface, natural or surgically created, that connects an internal cavity or hollow organ to the exterior. In equine anatomy the term applies to two distinct contexts: the microscopic pores on the visceral peritoneum through which lymphatic vessels absorb fluid from the abdominal cavity, and the surgically fashioned…
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Equine Secretion – Horse Info
A secretion is any substance produced and released by a gland or specialized cell in the horse’s body to serve a physiological function. Unlike excretion, which removes metabolic waste, secretion delivers a useful product — an enzyme, hormone, lubricant, or protective fluid — to a target site, either locally or via the bloodstream. The horse…
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Metabolism
The sum of all chemical processes by which a horse converts feed into energy, builds and repairs tissue, and eliminates waste: the continuous biochemical engine that determines how efficiently an individual horse uses fuel and maintains body condition. Horses extract calories from forage and grain, partition them between immediate energy expenditure and fat storage, and…
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Renal Dysfunction in Equines
Renal refers to the kidneys and all physiological processes centered on them — filtration of blood, excretion of metabolic waste, regulation of fluid and electrolyte balance, and production of urine. In the horse, both kidneys sit retroperitoneally: the right is heart-shaped and lies in contact with the liver under the last few ribs; the left…
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Renal Failure in Horses – Causes and Prognosis
Renal failure in the horse is the loss of adequate kidney function — the kidneys can no longer filter nitrogenous waste, regulate electrolytes, or maintain fluid balance at levels sufficient to sustain normal physiology. It presents in two forms: acute renal failure (ARF), which develops over hours to days and is potentially reversible if the…
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Conformation: Equine Structure, Soundness, and Athletic Assessment
In equine terminology, conformation refers to the physical shape, structure, proportions, and angles of a horse's body. Evaluating conformation means assessing how the individual parts of the horse's anatomy relate to each other and to the ideal standard for its breed and intended use. Good conformation indicates that the horse's skeletal and muscular structure is…
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Vestibular Disease
Vestibular disease is a disorder of the vestibular system , the sensory apparatus responsible for detecting head position and movement and for maintaining balance and spatial orientation. In horses, the vestibular system includes peripheral components within the inner ear (the semicircular canals and otolith organs) and central components in the brainstem and cerebellum. Disease affecting…