Did you know?
Did you know? 👉 "Some horses have only five lumbar vertebrae. This characteristic is found in quite a few Spanish Mustangs and Arabian horses. The strength of a horse’s back and how much weight he can comfortably carry are dependent on the size of the vertebrae in this area."
It's interesting to note in the above, that while many people have thought Arabians to have only 5 lumbar vertebra, that has never scientifically born out. Yes some horses of various breeds, not just Arabians, can have 5 lumbar vertebra, that doesn't mean all of them do. They can also have 6 like other breeds often do, depending on the individual Arabian horse you're looking at.
Link 1. 👇
https://ker.com/equinews/closer-look-equine-spine/
And below is a neat study they did on various breeds showing how individual the entire vertebral column of horses can be, as well as even the ribs, are on various breeds!
"Scientists have known for decades that domesticated horses’ spines differ from those of Przewalski’s horses and that not all Thoroughbreds have the same backbone makeup in their lumbosacral areas. But researchers had never compared the full vertebral column anatomy across or within breeds.
So Spoormakers and his fellow researchers ran computed tomography (CT) scanning on the backbones of 77 fresh equine cadavers representing three breeds: Warmbloods (mostly Dutch Warmblood), Shetland ponies, and Konik (semi-feral) horses.
Only half the horses had the “commonly accepted formula” of 29 back vertebrae, made up of 18 thoracic, six lumbar, and five sacral vertebrae, Spoormakers said. Konik horses had this makeup more frequently, with 78% showing 29 vertebrae. Only 53% of Warmbloods and 38% of Shetland ponies had it. Some of the horses only had 28 vertebrae, and some had 19 ribbed vertebrae and asymmetrical rib cages, with fewer ribs on one side than the other."
Link 2. 👇
https://thehorse.com/1107061/study-spinal-column-anatomy-differs-between-breeds-and-horses/
Horses are a complex species with diverse anatomical features, particularly when it comes to vertebral composition. While many believe that Arabian horses typically possess five lumbar vertebrae, research indicates that this is not universally true. In fact, individual horses vary widely, and some may have six lumbar vertebrae just like other breeds. Recent studies have utilized advanced imaging techniques such as computed tomography (CT) scans on a range of breeds, including Warmbloods, Shetland ponies, and Konik horses, to investigate this further. The findings revealed significant variations in vertebral formulas among breeds. Although the traditional model suggests 29 back vertebrae (18 thoracic, 6 lumbar, and 5 sacral), only about half of the horses examined adhered to this structure. Particularly, 78% of Konik horses matched this vertebral formula, whereas only 53% of Warmbloods and a mere 38% of Shetland ponies did. Interestingly, inconsistencies in rib counts and rib cage symmetry were also noted, showcasing the genetic diversity present across horse breeds. These insights not only deepen our understanding of equine anatomy but also highlight the importance of individualized assessments when considering a horse's physical capabilities. For those interested in equine science, keeping up with the latest research can provide valuable information about horse care, breeding, and training practices.
