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I've got to say that I'm really fed up with 2 part plastic horses, why do they have to made like this?
What I've found over the years is;

1) The parts don't match up, one is always smaller and just causes problems when trying to fix it.
2) The amount of filling required is ridiculous. And the line through the middle of the head is horrendous! If there is detail, the chances are that you are going to lose it just trying to fill the damn join gap. And then you have to try and re-sculpt it, generally making an even bigger mess and all the detail gone.

Why does it have to be this way? I know people say 'well it's all to do with fitting the parts on a sprue'. There really needs to be a change in how they are produced.

I suggest that the horse body be produced as just a complete solid torso. To me it makes more sense to mould the legs separately, it would eradicate annoying mould lines. As for the head, mould it facing up on the sprue, not on its side, meaning that the mould line would run through the neck and not through the middle of the face.

It surely isn't rocket science?

Try Victoria Miniatures Horses. While they too have two parts, the second one is usually just one of the legs and the lines between parts are hidden in a saddle fold or something like that. Pretty elegant solution

Feel your pain.
Why?
Short answer: Usually because they do not have to deal with it. (common answer to most problems in life)

Long answer:
Perhaps the sculptors are not mold makers, and mold makers are not hobbyists.

It is common to see awesome sculpt poorly designed for molding, with many undercuts that make casting nightmare.

It is rare for an avid hobbyist to be skilled and trained as a sculptor who also is lead designer in a production company who would have experience, skill, and position to influence the product.

Best minis are the ones that are sculpted and designed for a person to paint it with a brush, not just sculpted.

I remember two-part metal horses, so no complaints here, except for the brands that don't have the tail solidly part of the model.