MSD Manual

Please confirm that you are a health care professional

honeypot link
Pet Owner Version

The Urinary System of Horses

By

Sherry Lynn Sanderson

, DVM, PhD, DACVIM-SAIM, DACVIM-Nutrition, Department of Biomedical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Georgia

Reviewed/Revised Aug 2019 | Modified Oct 2022
Topic Resources

The urinary system or tract includes the kidneys, the ureters (tubes that connect the kidneys to the bladder), the bladder, and the urethra (the tube through which urine exits the body). The urinary system has several important functions. It gets rid of the waste products that are created when food is transformed into energy. It also maintains the correct balance of water and electrolytes (salts) within the body. Another key function is the production of hormones called erythropoietin and renin, which are important in maintaining healthy blood pressure, producing blood cells, and absorbing salt correctly. Finally, the urinary system processes vitamin D to its active form.

Urinary system in a male horse

Urinary system in a male horse

Urinary system in a female horse

Urinary system in a female horse

For More Information

Also see professional content regarding the urinary system Urinary System Introduction .

quiz link

Test your knowledge

Take a Quiz!
iOS ANDROID
iOS ANDROID
iOS ANDROID
TOP