Cobs and "dropped" fetlocks

[[131452]]

I've noticed that a lot of cobs especially section Ds appear to have what looks like dropped fetlocks behind. It looks like the hind fetlock drops really quite low when loaded especially in canter. As I've seen so much of it I wonder if that's actually normal for them?

See this example I found on Google:
this
Is this indeed common or normal with cobs /section Ds?

 

[Meowy Catkin]

If that worries you, don't look at how a horse's fetlock touches the ground as it lands a big jump.

You need to see it as shock absorption. If the horse (whatever breed) didn't have this leg conformation where the fetlock can lower and absorb shock, the horse would fracture its bones due to the forces produced by having a big bodied animal move fast on spindly, long legs.

 

[DirectorFury]

It might look more extreme as D’s tend to have some feather which will make it look like there’s a smaller gap between the fetlock and the ground.

 

[cobgoblin]

It's when their fetlock look like that standing still that you need to worry.

 

[Meowy Catkin]

It might look more extreme as D’s tend to have some feather which will make it look like there’s a smaller gap between the fetlock and the ground.

That's a very good point.

 

[[131452]]

Thanks everyone. I'm looking at a cob to buy and noticed it and got worried.
I don't actually like watching high level show jumping as looking at the horse land on one leg makes me cringe , but that's just me ??

 

[Meowy Catkin]

What you don't want - as Cobgoblin rightly said - is this.

Note how not only the fetlocks are dropped but how the hocks have straightened and that this is nothing to do with absorbing shock.

 

[Errin Paddywack]

Note how not only the fetlocks are dropped but how the hocks have straightened and that this is nothing to do with absorbing shock.

I am guessing this is probably as a result of DSLD, horrifying.

 

[ycbm]

I am guessing this is probably as a result of DSLD, horrifying.

I've seen that gradually happen to a horse. It never got quite that far but the straightening of the hocks was noticeable at between 3 and 4 years. We suggested DSLD to the vet when it was 6 and struggling with an unidentified problem with "laziness", but we were ignored and they didn't even test. They said the test wasn't available in the UK and the disease was a US disease not in UK horses. I later found out that our local teaching hospital did the nuchal ligament biopsy test.

.

 

[Meowy Catkin]

That's terrible YCBM.