Please help...cow hocks

E

evilmavis

Well-Known Member
Joined
21 September 2005
Messages
115
Visit site
Can anyone tell me what causes this, if there is anything i can do, is it gonna cause any problems???


My foal was delivered today and have ony just noticed he is slightly cow hocked... have been waiting for so long.. now this...

PLEASE someone tell me what to expect
 
In my understanding, all horses should be very slightly cow hocked. When the gallop, the hind legs can then land just outside the front legs, helping to avoid over-reaching. As with any conformational trait, it's only when it becomes exaggerated that it may become a problem.
Look at these guys - you can see that some of them have the front legs landing on an 'inside track' and the hinds landing either side of the fronts - http://www.gettyimages.co.uk/detail/51628165/Reportage?language=en-GB&location=GBR
 
SERIOUSLY Don't worry! My boys legs were bad when I got him at 16 months old - standing like a ballet dancer (he was a swap so not a lot of choice) but now, aged 3, he's much better. Once they fill out their legs really change.

Speak to your farrier to see if there's anything he can do with his hoof balance to help but do refrain from doing anything too drastic.

How old is foal?
 
Your farrier will be critical to your foals development. My girl shifted her growth plates at 2 months old, front legs went wonky. Some excellent trimming & forcing her to rest (they were confined to a pen rather than being in huge field) sorted it in a few weeks. She was such an extrovert in the field, why she ran into problems.

Farrier will know if he is just developing or if action is needed. Foals grow so fast, it can be quite disconcerting. The other thing is, you've bought him, so you're just going to have to wait & see how he ends up in a few years so little point in worrying. Just make sure he gets a good diet without overfeeding, which may speed his development but can lead to a whole host of other issues.
 
thanks for the replies.. he is 4 months old.. he has not been handled that much and as far as i know he hasnt seen a farrier yet. i am getting him to pick his feet up lots and trying to get him ready to see a farrier but as i have only had him 24 hours think i got a long way to go!!!!


http://www.horseandhound.co.uk/forums/picture.php?albumid=724&pictureid=6802[/IMG]
 
picture.php
[/IMG]

trying to post a picture and forgot how to do it, doh!!!
 
I wouldn't worry for a week or so and see if they straighten out by themselves- there is a lot of unfolding to do after they have been stuck in a womb for 11 months! :)

tbh, i am not sure there is much to be done about cow hocks as the turn is not in the foot and is too high imo to drastically change (and you risk upsetting the rest of the leg balance).
 
He doesn’t look too bad to me. In the first picture he just looks like he is standing funny. If he was mine i really wouldn’t be too concerned right now. As others have said just get a decent farrier to have a look at him.
 
Wouldn't worry too much. I bought an 18 month old shire filly who waspretty cow hocked (although fairly common on heavies) and with decent trimming and nutrition by the timei broke her to ride it was barely noticeable
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top