Horse anatomy
Hock
A hind leg joint, like an ankle. Helps the horse bend and push off strongly.
A closer look
The hock is the large, angled joint in the middle of the hind leg, and it matches the human ankle and heel. The pointed bump at the back, called the point of the hock, is the horse's heel bone. The hock is made of several small bones and joints stacked together.
Why it matters
The hock works hard whenever a horse pushes off, stops, turns, or jumps, so it takes a lot of strain. Healthy hocks help a horse carry weight on its hindquarters, and hock soreness is a common reason older horses feel stiff.
Care tip
Compare both hocks when you groom: they should look similar, with no new puffiness, heat, or scrapes. Horses that lie down on hard floors can bump the point of the hock, so thick, clean bedding helps.
Common mistake
A horse that feels slow and stiff behind at the start of a ride is sometimes called lazy, when sore hocks may be the cause. A longer walking warm-up and a vet check are better than pushing harder.
Fun fact
Since the point of the hock is the horse's heel, horses really walk around on the tips of their toes!
Discussion
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