Horse Back Anatomy

• There are three sections to a horse's back. The thoracic consists of the 18 vertebrae that the ribs are attached to. This section is also relatively inflexible, much more rigid than in most other mammals. This prevents upward and downward motion. The lumbar has six vertebrae that are heavier, flatter and wider than those in the thoracic. This area allows for more up and down and side to side movement. The sacral contains five naturally fused vertebrae. The area between the lumbar and the sacral, often called the "croup" has flexibility as its main function.