Fetlock is a term used for the joint where the cannon bone, the proximal sesamoidsesamoid The sesamoid is a small nodular bone most often present embedded in tendons in the region of the thumb. Calcification of sesamoid bone is one of the important features of pubertal growth spurt, which is earlier in females than in males. Absence of sesamoid bone indicates delay in reaching puberty. › wiki › Sesamoid_bone

Sesamoid bone - Wikipedia

bones, and the first phalanx (long pastern bone) meet. The pastern is the area between the hoof and the fetlock joint.

Is the fetlock the ankle?

While sometimes the fetlock is colloquially referred to as an "ankle", even by horse experts, that terminology is not correct. The fetlock is a metacarpophalangeal joint which corresponds to the human upper knuckle, such as that on the ball of the foot.

What is a fetlock injury?

This condition involves a tear or strain of the suspensory ligament where it branches onto the bones at the back of the fetlock joint (sesamoid bones). These tears can be seen on an ultrasound examination, and horses may often have swelling over the affected branch, that may be hot or painful to touch.

Where is the fetlock on a horse's leg?

The fetlock is a joint between the cannon bone and the pastern on the back of a horse's leg, above the hoof.

Can you fix a fractured fetlock?

Fractures of the pedal bone.

Surgical screw fixation may be used to help some of the larger fractures to heal, especially those that involve the coffin joint. Fractures of the pastern most commonly involve the long pastern bone (first phalanx, P1). These are usually longitudinal and extend down from the fetlock joint.

Equine radiograph positioning: The fetlock

37 related questions found

What causes a fractured fetlock?

Chip fractures often occur on the top, upper portion of the long pastern bone. They usually occur when the horse is exercising at a high speed due to overextension (hyperextension) of the fetlock joint. An affected horse will suddenly become lame and have swelling of the fetlock joint.

Why is a fractured fetlock fatal?

"If there was a fracture there, there's all the tendons, the nerves and the blood vessels that a sharp edge of bone could cut. So, down the rest of the leg, there's no blood supply to it, so the tissue may die, let alone having enough blood supply to heal."

What is the function of fetlock?

Introduction. The fetlock joint is a rotary joint that can exhibit the greatest range of motion of any equine joint, ranging from 120° of extension to 120° of flexion, particularly during athletic events such as racing or jumping (Fig.

What is a broken fetlock on a horse?

A horse that has fractured a leg will be in obvious distress. It will not want to bear weight on the leg and there will be swelling. 2 The leg can hang crookedly, or a bone may appear to be coming through the skin. As soon as possible, have a veterinarian examine the horse.

What is a horses ankle called?

Hock: the tarsus of the horse (hindlimb equivalent to the human ankle and heel), the large joint on the hind leg.

Are fetlock injuries fatal?

In the lower limb, the most common location is the fetlock, with breakdown injuries the most life threatening. These bones come together with the suspensory ligament to act as a 'spring', absorbing large amounts of energy and dispersing it back through the bones and into the horse.

What to do if your horse has a swollen fetlock?

Always rest a horse with a potentially injured leg until your vet can assess the problem. Assess the affected area yourself, feeling for heat, a pain response to pressure or flexion of the limb, reduced range of motion, or any other abnormalities. Send a photo of the swelling to your vet.

Why is my horse fetlock swollen?

Most likely it's just "stocking up." Swollen joints are always cause for concern, but if both of your horse's hind fetlocks become puffy after a period of inactivity, chances are the cause is a relatively harmless condition known as “stocking up.” Activity—such as riding—is the simple treatment for stocking up.

How do you treat a horse with Osselets?

Treatment of Osselets in Horses

Usually, stall rest is recommended for up to 6 weeks. It is important that your horse does not return to activity too early. The veterinarian may also suggest alternating cold and hot treatment of the area. This will help with swelling and inflammation of the fetlocks.

Where is a horse's knee?

Carpal Joint – The carpus (carpal joint) on a horse is commonly referred to as the “knee” which is only on the front legs. The tarsus is the corresponding joint on the hind leg, commonly called the “hock”.

Where is the stifle joint?

The stifle is the area where the tibia, the bone that forms the gaskin, meets the femur, the bone that extends upward to the hip. The stifle is analogous to the human knee: When you pick up a horse's hind leg, the joint bends forward, just as your knee does as you climb a staircase.

Why do horses need to be put down?

Because horses can not stay off their feet for long periods, broken bones do not have a chance to heal, and so often sadly the kindest way to help a horse with a broken limb is to put it down. ...

What is fetlock effusion?

Fluid-filled swellings in the rear aspect of the tendon/fetlock area—called “windpuffs,” or synovial effusion of the tendon sheath—are a common condition in horses. ... This pathologic condition manifests acutely and results in lameness, swelling, and pain on palpation of the affected area.

What does it mean when a horse is over at the knee?

Over at the knees is the most common of two structural deviations that exist in the knees of horses when viewed from the side. This condition is commonly referred to as buck-kneed. This is a forward deviation in which the knee is set too far forward in relation to the leg.

What are Osselets in horses?

Osselets, which is from the Latin meaning "little bone," are unique to horses who run for a living. During high-speed gallops, the fetlock joints of speed horses, particularly those with long pasterns, can dorsiflex (extend) so much that the pasterns sink almost parallel with the track surface.

What is a horse's foreleg?

The foreleg of the horse is, for the most part, a model of good engineering. Most of a horse's weight is carried on its forelimbs. ... Most of a horse's weight is carried on its forelimbs. A horse puts more stress on its front legs than its rear limbs, because it carries 60-65 percent of its weight up front.

Why are horses euthanized after breaking a leg?

In cases of bad breaks, an animal is quickly humanely euthanized because there simply are no treatment options (such as Eight Belles, who shattered two legs at the fetlock and cannon bone). All horses are big, heavy animals on small legs and feet, and each foot has to support roughly 250 pounds.

How do I know if my horse has a fracture?

The symptoms of a fracture are dependent on the area of the fracture; among them:

1. Severe pain in or around the fracture.
2. Swelling in the affected area.
3. Strange posturing.
4. Lifting the affected leg off the ground.
5. Strange angle of affected leg.
6. Failure to place weight on affected leg or an uneven weight distribution.

How do you prevent fetlock injury?

Fetlock boots. Fetlock boots are used on hind legs to prevent the fetlocks from catching each other, most commonly in horses used over fences. You can clearly see by the scuff marks in Photo 4 that these boots have served their purpose on a horse already.