The answer to whether horses have belly buttons is a definitive yes. Like all placental mammals, horses possess a navel, which is the remnant of the biological connection that sustained them before birth. This small, often-overlooked feature is the scar tissue left behind after the umbilical cord naturally detaches from the foal.
Yes, They Do: The Anatomy of the Equine Navel
The equine navel, or umbilicus, is located on the ventral midline of the horse’s abdomen. It is typically situated approximately halfway between the chest and the hindquarters. Unlike the deep indentation familiar to humans, the equine navel appears as a small, subtle patch of specialized tissue. This scar is usually flat or slightly depressed, ranging from dime-sized to quarter-sized on an adult horse.
The surrounding hair coat often obscures the navel from casual view, sometimes leaving only a small swirl or change in hair growth direction as a noticeable sign.
The Embryological Necessity of the Umbilical Cord
The navel exists because of the life-support system required during the mare’s approximately 11-month gestation period. Before a foal can breathe and feed on its own, the umbilical cord serves as the vital lifeline connecting the developing fetus to the mare’s placenta. This cord consists primarily of two arteries and one vein, encased within a gelatinous substance.
Through these vessels, the foal receives necessary oxygen and nutrients from the mare’s bloodstream. The cord also facilitates the removal of metabolic waste products, ensuring the proper development of the growing fetus.
Why the Equine Navel is Rarely Noticed
The horse’s navel is rarely noticed due to the unique process of post-birth healing. Shortly after birth, the umbilical cord naturally severs as the mare stands or the foal moves, rupturing a short distance from the abdomen. The remaining tissue, known as the umbilical stump, does not require clamping or cutting, unlike human births.
This stump rapidly dries out and shrinks, often becoming a hard, twig-like structure within two to three days. The resulting scar is a very flat, dense patch of skin that blends seamlessly with the surrounding abdominal wall. Unlike human navels, the equine navel is typically a smooth, indiscernible patch of scar tissue, minimizing its visual prominence beneath the hair.