How to tie the rope halter knot

Skeletal system of the horse

Skeleton of a HorseThe skeletal system has three major functions in the body. It protects vital organs, provides framework, and supports soft parts of the body. Horses have 205 bones. Both pelvic and and thoracic limbs contain the same number of bones, 20 bones per limb. The vertebral column has 54 bones and the skull has 34 bones. The sternum consists of only one bone and there are 18 pairs of ribs.

Bones serve three major functions in the skeletal system; they act as levers, they store minerals, and they are the site of red blood cell formation. Bones can be classified into four categories

Long Bones: aid in locomotion, store minerals, and act as levers. They are found mainly in the limbs.
Short Bones: Absorb concussion. Found in joints such as the knee, hock, and fetlock.
Flat Bones: Enclose body cavities containing organs. The ribs are examples of flat bones.
Irregular Bones: Protect the central nervous system. The vertebral column consists of irregular bones.
Ligaments and tendons hold the skeletal system together. Ligaments hold bones to bones and tendons hold bones to muscles. Synovial membranes are found in joint capsules. Synovial membranes contain synovial fluid, which lubricates joints. Bones are covered by a tough membrane called periosteum, which covers the entire bone excluding areas of articulation.

The skull contains four cavities: the cranial cavity, the orbital cavity, oral, and the nasal cavity. The cranial cavity encloses and protects the brain and it supports several sense organs. The orbital cavitity surrounds and protects the eye. The oral cavity is a passage way into the respiratory and digestive systems. The nasal cavity leads into the respiratory system. The nasal cavity contains turbinate bones that protect the mucous membrane that lines the cavity from warm inspired air. The skull consists of seven major bones

Incisive bone (premaxillary): part of the upper jaw; where the incisors attach
Nasal bone: covers the nasal cavity
Maxillary bone: the upper portion of the jaw
Mandible: lower portion of the jaw; largest bone in the skull
Orbit: bone located around the eye
Frontal bone: creates the forehead of the horse
Temporal fossa: found behind the ears near the vertebral column