Hock (zoology)

The hock, or gambrel, is the tarsal joint of a digitigrade quadruped, such as a horse, cat, or dog. It is the anatomical homologue of the ankle of the human foot.

Horse

Although the "tarsus" refers specifically to the bones and joints of the hock, most horsemen refer to the "hock" in such a way to include the bones, joints, and soft tissue of the area. The hock is especially important in equine anatomy, due to the great strain it receives when the horse is worked. Jumping, and movements that require collection, are some of the more stressful activities.

Primary joints and bones of the hock

In the horse, the hock consists of multiple joints, namely:
*Tibiotarsal or Tarsocrural joint
*Proximal Intertarsal joint or Talocalcanealcentroquartal joint
*Distal Intertarsal joint or Centrodistal joint
*Tarsometatarsal joint
*Talocalcaneal joint

In the horse, the hock consists of the following bones
*Talus
*Calcaneus
*Central tarsal bone
*3rd tarsal bone
*3rd metatarsal bone
*4th tarsal bone
*Fused 1st and 2nd tarsal bone

Equine disease states

*Horses may suffer from "capped hock", which is caused by the creation of a false bursa, a synovial sac beneath the skin. Capped hock is usually caused by trauma such as kicking or slipping when attempting to stand. In the absence of a wound, it does not require immediate veterinary attention and is usually only of cosmetic significance. On the other hand, a wound into the calcanean bursa is a serious problem. A capped hock is extremely unlikely to be a cause of lameness, even if severe.

*Osteochondrosis dissecans, or OCD is a developmental defect in the cartilage or of cartilage and bone seen in particular locations on the surface of the tarsocrural joint. This condition is typically discovered when the horse is young, and is one cause of bog spavin. After surgery to remove bone and cartilage fragments most horses can return to full work.

*Distension of the tibiotarsal joint with excessive joint fluid and/or synovium is called bog spavin.

*Degenerative joint disease of the tarsometatarsal or distal intertarsal joint is referred to as bone spavin.

*Curb, or tarsal plantar desmitis, is traditionally considered a sprain of the plantar ligament, which runs down the back of the hock, serving functionally as a tension band connecting the calcaneus, the fourth tarsal bone and the fourth metatatarsal bone. Recent work has shown that curb can be caused by damage to one of many soft tissue structures in this region.

*Stringhalt

Conformational defects

"Also see equine conformation"

Because the hock takes a great deal of strain in all performance disciplines, correct conformation is essential if the horse is to have a sound and productive working life. Common conformational defects include sickle hocks, post-legged conformation/straight hocks, cow hocks, and bowed hocks. Depending on the use of the horse, some defects may be more acceptable than others.

ee also

*Ankle
*Heel

External links