Equine Forelimb Anatomy

The equine forelimb (also referred to as the front limb, rostral limb, cephalad limb or thoracic limb) of the horse is attached to the trunk of the animal by purely muscular connections (the serratus ventralis, trapezius, rhomboideus, latissimus dorsi, brachiocephalicus, subclavius and pectoralis muscles). This is in contrast to the forelimbs of several other vertebrates, including humans, who have skeletal attachments (the coracoid and clavicle bones).

During locomotion, the forelimb functions primarily for weight-bearing rather than propulsion and supports the forehand of the horse. In the standing horse, the forelimbs together support approximately 60% of the weight of the horse, and this pattern is carried over to locomotion, where the forelimb props the weight of the horse, while forward momentum is generated by the hind limbs. As the horse moves, increasing impulsion shifts the horse's weight to the hindquarters.