Overview
Unlike in ruminants, in the horse the superficial gluteal is a separate muscle, independent of the biceps femoris. It is fairly thin and V-shaped, with two heads: a cranial head from the coxal tuber, joined to the tensor fasciae latae, and a caudal head from the gluteal fascia. Both converge on a tendon that ends on the third trochanter (trochanter tertius), a prominence on the lateral surface of the femur that is typical of the horse.
Origin
Coxal tuber (tuber coxae) and gluteal fascia.
Insertion
Third trochanter of the femur (trochanter tertius).
Action
Flexes the hip, abducts the pelvic limb and tenses the fascia lata.
Innervation
Cranial and caudal gluteal nerves (nn. glutei).