Which part of the horse's anatomy is primarily involved in balance and coordination?

The cerebellum plays a crucial role in the horse's ability to maintain balance and coordination. It is located at the back of the brain and is responsible for processing sensory information related to the position of the body in space and fine-tuning motor control. This part of the brain integrates information from the inner ear, eyes, and proprioceptors to ensure the horse can perform movements smoothly and maintain stability during different activities, whether walking, running, or jumping.

The other structures listed, while important for various functions, do not primarily govern balance and coordination in the same way the cerebellum does. The brain stem is involved in regulating essential functions such as breathing and heart rate, the medulla oblongata handles autonomic control and reflexes, and the thalamus acts mainly as a relay station for sensory and motor signals within the brain. None of these structures is specifically dedicated to the fine-tuning of movement and balance that the cerebellum excels in.