Cow Hocked

[shadowboy]

Went to see a yearling Colt for sale. He was really gangly, croup high and really needed to grow into himself- all this I dont mind however he was cow hocked. with mahoosive joints is this goin to improve over time? what limb/lameness problems could it bring in future? should I say bargepole? or give him a go.

 

[marinitagsd]

Any pics??

 

[Grey_Eventer]

one of our polo ponies has coz hocks very badly...
you see him trot think how on earth can he gallop, you see him gallop you really cant understand!
this horse competed at St.Moritz- polo on ice for the GB team and won best playing pony, so it hasnt affected him at all!
BUT i should think it can affect some horses, but our horse has CR@P conformation- really really bad but it hasnt affected him!

 

[china]

i have little knowledge about cow hocks but as far as im aware it is a conformational thing and it will stay that way.

 

[shadowboy]

no pics sorry.

just dont want to buy something that will have problems later on in life- i.e lameness not looking for a showjumper or anything though

 

[eventing09]

I used to own a gelding with cow hocks, the wernt hirrendous though. He was thoroughly checked out be vet when we bought him and in the 2years we owned him he was never lame. Actually nothing was ever effected from his hocks. The only disadvantage was he trotted behind when you cantered him unless he was really working in the canter and not just loping along. Good luck

 

[melaniemarks]

a mate of mine has a cow hocked mare. She only hacks her, does the odd local SJ/XC and sponsored ride. Mare is now 17 and it has never held her back. I guess it depends on the severity of the fault, but wouldn't let it put you off completely.

 

[welshied]

Depends on what you are wanting to do with the horse and if its croup high it will only be because the front end hasn't caught up yet. I personally wouldn't buy one that was cow hocked when you can buy one with better confirmation and get a good deal in the current market

 

[Brandysnap]

Hi shadowmonkey,

My old pony has hocks that any cow would kill for! I rescued her from going to a sale for meat, about 25 years ago.

She's been a great friend, we've hacked and spooked on roads and in hills, we've won RC open SJ, and gave everyone a good laugh when we tried dressage... She's been a star, and totally sound behind. I've fully retired her now, as she went unlevel in front! (Not only that, she's STILL trying to buck me off!!)

My understanding is that any deviation from the ideal can put extra pressure on the joint, which may result in ligament, tendon or arthritic problems in future.

But, don't all foals look cow-hocked? He's only a yearling, and 'gangly'. He sounds like he's going to be a big horse? So he's still pretty well a foal? Re his growing out of it, yes, he may do, as he's so young still, but please ask your equine vet's opinion, and other knowledgeable horsey friends, get them to look at him, maybe chat to the current owners. Also consider his breeding (eg if he's a big, heavy, slow-growing horse v a quick-growing Section A)

Like with everything, none of us can say for sure. But if you really like him + everything clicks for you, i hope you've found a new friend for life.

All bests, and good luck, BS x

 

[shadowboy]

Hi BS- thanks for your responce. He is born 2008 no month is noted so he could be anything from 7-15 months Old. However he is a reg part bred New Forest but has gangly legs and massive joints and looks very close behind particularly at the hock. Hes also slighly splay footed in front but nothing drastic and walks, trots, canters cleanly- i think with good farriery and time it will improve- my issue was with his hocks- as iv never ridden/had a horse close behind like this- however my bf has fallen in love with him and he is to be a companion for my other yearling. Wouldlove to know what on earth hes crossed with as long as its not a shire!!!

 

[Fransurrey]

My friend's old arab x was very cow hocked. He was put down at nearly 30yrs old and in all that time, I never knew it to be an issue - he jumped and did endurance for most of his life - injuries to the front legs were the reason for being PTS (tendons). If you're not showing, I wouldn't worry, but don't expect him to grow out of it.