Some aspects of equine anatomy have similarities to the human anatomy; the eye is not one of them. A horse’s hearing is more acute than that of a human as its uniquely shaped ears funnel sounds to the brain into action potentials in the auditory nerve. This nerve, located at the base of the skull, sends information to the brain to be translated and interpreted.

Connecting the head to the rest of the body is the neck, which also serves as an important element of balance. The neck also contains vertebrae and a continuation of tubes for the movement of food, water, air, and blood.

This special report on anatomy and physiology provides an overview of the horse’s head and neck along with the ears, eyes, mouth, teeth and upper respiratory tract.