A strong ligament running from the occipital protuberance at the base of the skull to the spinous process of the thoracic vertebrae in the region of the withers. From its ventral surface, broad fibrous lamina conect it to the dorsal spinous processes of the other cervical vertebrae. Caudally, it is continuous with the supraspinous ligament which connects the spinous processes along the spine to the sacrum.

The nuchal ligament enables the horse to carry its head with minimal muscular effort.