The
back describes the area of
horse anatomy where the
saddle goes, and in popular usage extends to include the loin or lumbar region behind the thoracic vertebrae that also is crucial to a horse's weight-carrying ability. These two sections of the
vertebral column beginning at the
withers, the start of the
thoracic vertebrae, and extend to the last
lumbar vertebra. Because horses are
ridden by humans, the strength and structure of the horse's back is critical to the animal's usefulness.