02/24/2026
Next upβ¦ the πππππ
The hock is anatomically similar to a human FOOT.
The hock sits directly below the tibia and above the cannon bone. Like the stifle, itβs one of the most commonly affected joints in performance horses.
Its primary job is to transfer force generated from the pelvis and stifle down the limb and into the ground. Basically, the hock absorbs impact, stores elastic energy, and releases force for propulsion.
πππππ ππ
πππ ππππ
ππππ’π
πΆππππππππ’π
*Point of hock in horses, heel bone in humans*
πΆπππ‘πππ
πΉππ’π π‘πππ ππ πππππ
*First & second (fused), third, and fourth*
The hock is composed of four joints -
1. ππππππππππ πππππ πππ π»ππππππππππ πππππ
πππππ + ππππ’π
-> Largest motion, most visible flexion and extension
2. ππππππππ πππππππππππ πππππ
3. ππππππ πππππππππππ πππππ
4. πππππππππππππππ πππππ
The lower three joints have very little movement and the cartilage in these lower joints is relatively thin. Their primary job is shock absorption and stability.
** Distal intertarsal and tarsometatarsal are the most commonly affected by osteoarthritis **
Studies have reported that distal intertarsal and tarsometatarsal joint osteoarthritis accounts for a significant percentage of hindlimb lameness cases in performance horses, with reporting distal hock arthritis in up to 30β40% of horses evaluated for chronic hindlimb lameness (Dyson, 2003; Ross & Dyson, Diagnosis and Management of Lameness in the Horse).
ππππππππππ πππππππππ
ππππππ πππ πΏππ‘ππππ
Provides side-to-side stability.
π³πππ πππππππ = Originates at the lateral malleolus (outer portion of the tibia) and attaches to the calcaneus, talus, fourth tarsal bone, lateral splint bone, and proximal cannon bone.
π»ππππ πππππ πππππππ = Originates proximally from the lateral malleolus and attaches between tarsal bones. Assists in stabilizing the intertarsal joints.
π³πππ πππ
πππ = Runs from the medial malleolus of the tibia to the talus and distal tarsal bones
πΊππππ πππ
πππ = Runs from the medial malleolus to the talus
π΄ππ
π
ππ πππππ = Extends from the medial tibial malleolus to the sustentaculum (part of the calcaneus) and the central tarsal bone
π«πππ πππππ πππ
πππ ππππππππππ = Runs from the distal edge of the medial malleolus to the tuberosities of the talus
ππππ πππππππ ππππππππ
Runs along the back of the hock and stabilizes the distal joints under compression. Chronic arthritis often leads to secondary strain or thickening of this ligament.
πππππππππ πππππππ
Part of the reciprocal apparatus.
Ensures stifle flexion = hock flexion
ππππππ
πππππ πππππππ π
πππππ
Passes over the point of the hock and contributes to propulsion.
ππππ πππππππ π
πππππ
Contributes to distal limb mechanics and stabilization of the hock. Increased flexion increases DDFT tension.
ππππππππππππ
Contributes to hock extension and propulsion, inserting at the point of the hock.
ππππππππππ ππππππππ
Originates on the back (plantar aspect) of the cannon bone just below the hock.
It functions as a primary shock absorber, stabilizes the fetlock, redistributes force, and prevents overextension of the fetlock.
Remember the reciprocal apparatus?
Flexion of the stifle = flexion of the hock
Extension of the stifle = extension of the hock
They are mechanically linked.
This explains why stifle pathology often presents as hock soreness, and vice versa.
Repetitive compression -> cartilage microdamage
Microdamage -> inflammation
Inflammation -> pain
Pain -> altered biomechanics
Altered biomechanics -> further uneven loading (usually leading to hoof imbalance)
πππππ πππππππππ + ππππ πππππ
This is a pattern seen repeatedly in performance horses. I see this CONSTANTLY.
Tight hamstrings are often a message from the hock saying βIβll help out since youβre exhausted and sore.β
The hamstrings (biceps femoris, semitendinosus, semimembranosus) originate from the pelvis and contributes to hip extension, stille flexion, and hock extension.
However, when hamstrings become tight, fatigued, or chronically overactive hip extension efficiency decreases, stifle mobility becomes restricted, and compression on the hock increases.
Over timeβ¦
Increased muscular tension -> altered joint mechanics
Altered mechanics -> uneven cartilage loading
Uneven loading -> inflammation
Inflammation -> pain
ππππππ.
This also works in reverse.
If the hock becomes arthritic thereβs decreased flexion of the hock, a shortened stride, and the hamstrings become overdeveloped and restricted trying to stabilize.
If pelvic stability decreases, stifle rotation increases.
If stifle instability increases, hock compression increases.
#ππ£π‘π€ππ ππ§πππ©π£ππ¨π¨
