Cow/sickle hocks in foal?

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domane

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I have just bought a Welsh D colt who will be 6m old on Sunday. I've started to become concerned because I've noticed that he appears to have cow/sickle hocks (I'm not sure which is the correct term!) and I wondered if this is because he's young or whether it's a comformation fault? I've only had yearlings before, not one quite so young. I've attached a couple of pics for you to see what I mean.

I'm really not sure if this is "normal" for his age or breed. Any comments please?

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Wouldn't worry to much they seem to go through this phase - I have a stress for a few months each weanling time hoping that I haven't bred a dud. They all seem to grow up nice and straight. Just keep feet trimming correct so he has the best chance of growing straight limbed.
 
Well they may straighten up a little, but i would bet they will always be a bit cow hocked. If you want him for showing then obviously this is going to be a no no. But i shouldnt worry to much for general use.
 
When our lad was about 9 or 10 months he looked really really sickle/cow hocked (not sure which but looked like your lad). I was worried to death. My vet just dismissed it and said he was very gangly and weak and would not look the same in a years time. I did not believe her. My farrier was really good. He explained that they often look like that as they are so narrow with no muscle so they take on a triangular type shape until they fill out when they become more rectangular (if you get my drift), to look at from behind.
My lad is now 2 and looks entirely normal and I think, very nicely put together. I am sure people in breeding will know more but don't panic yet!
 
Daisychain said:
Well they may straighten up a little, but i would bet they will always be a bit cow hocked. If you want him for showing then obviously this is going to be a no no. But i shouldnt worry to much for general use.
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Don't know if you have ever had youngsters but they definately do go through the 'cow hocked' stage, several of mine had me really worried but they all grew into themselves and straightened up as they got older and stronger. In fact one of them I looked at him as a yearling and wondered why I'd even bought him in the first place. He looked so ugly. He grew into a really stunning horse and very correctly put together.
 
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