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Parts of the Horse- -The Hock Joint

By Katherine Blocksdorf, About.com

Parts of the Horse- -The Hock Joint

#4: The hock.

K. Blocksdorf 2006
Definition: This joint is made of several smaller bones, the most prominent being the Os Calsis which gives the hock it’s angular shape. The strength of the hocks is very important as this is the most active joint in the horse’s hind legs. Poorly conformed hocks may make the horse susceptible to break down if the horse is worked very hard.
Pronunciation: h aw k
Examples: It is common for Arabian horses to be cow-hocked.

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