Page 573 - The Veterinary Care of the Horse

(Figures 12.23a, b and c). The two halves join in the midline at the pubic symphysis. The

large wing of the ilium extends from the tuber sacrale to the tuber coxae, both of which are
VetBooks.ir easily palpated as bony prominences. The tubera sacrale form the highest part of the
hindquarters and are sometimes referred to as ‘jumper’s bumps’. The body or shaft of the

ilium extends backwards from the ilial wing and fuses with the ischium and pubis to form the
acetabulum which is part of the hip joint. The ischium and pubis make up the bony floor of

the pelvis. The most caudal part of the ischium, the tuber ischii, can be felt as a bony
prominence below the tail head on either side of the horse. The upper limit of the pelvic
cavity is formed by the sacrum. This is attached to the ventral (lower) surface of the wing of

the ilium at the sacroiliac joint.