Modern Horses

The most noticeable anatomical characteristic of the modern horse is the possession of a single toe on each of its four feet, the horse's toe, is much enlarged and protected by a horny hoof that surrounds the front and sides of the toe.

The skull of the horse is long; the facial bones are twice the length of the cranium. The mandible, is long and has a broad, flat plate at its lower hind end. The spine is composed of 7 cervical, 18 dorsal, 6 lumbar, 5 sacral, and 15 caudal vertebrae. Horses have 44 teeth: 3 incisors, 1 canine, 4 premolars, and 3 molars on each side of each jaw. The incisors, which are used for cropping grass. A pronounced gap exists between the canine teeth and the premolars; the metal bit used for controlling a horse is placed in this gap when the animal is ridden or driven.

Both male and female horses are sexually mature by the age of two. The gestation period is about 11 months, and single births are the rule. Twins are a genuine rear.