Conformation Question

Starryskies · 01-29-2005 08:23 PM

I've just bought a foal---Rocky Mountain horse---that I absolutely LOVE, but he appears to have cow hocks. Some people have told me this is okay in gaited horses (this is my first one), while others have told me it can lead to lameness or problems, and at least a sloppy-moving back end. It is hard to tell completely because the way he stands changes the appearance, and he's growing so quickly! But I think he's going to turn out at least a little cow hocked. I'd like to do some competetive trail riding with him (when he's old enough), but I wondered how vulnerable cow hocks are to strain. Other than his hocks, he's got super build! Big, round hindquarters, a very deep chest, and well proportioned. Do you think his hocks could be that big of a problem, or lead to lameness? What is your experience?

Aquiel · 01-29-2005 08:35 PM

I dont think you should be overly concerned. Last year when I first got my guy, he was cow hocked. Not terribly or anything, but as hes grown over the past year, its gotten better.
Unless its affecting his movement, I'd say, just let him grow.
Babies are growing so fast and in every which way, that they can look pretty funny.

Aquiel · 01-29-2005 08:37 PM

Ahem...where are pics?????

Ch3vMama · 01-30-2005 01:51 AM

Most horses, especially some gaited ones, like Morgans for example, tend to be a little cow hocked and a little toed in. It ads flair. LOL. (If paddling is flair.. hehe.)

A little cow hocked has never really ever hurt a horse's conformation that I've seen. Worse is camped under or out and post legged. The bain of my existance for hind legs is sickle hocked. Some cutting horses has sickle hocks and it does help them get down but they'll wear out faster because they're using the joint so much more.

Really don't worry about it until he's grown. You won't really know his conformation until then anyhow. Everything else is an educated guess. hehe.

CowboyTori · 01-30-2005 09:15 AM

Quote:

Ahem...where are pics?????

Me too! I want to see a Rocky Mountain Horse baby!

Starryskies · 01-30-2005 03:20 PM

Here are some pictures of him! I only have about a million!

Starryskies · 01-30-2005 03:25 PM

Wow! It came up quite large on the screen! Anyway, isn't he adorable? Here's one that you can kind of get a better idea of his legs from, but once again, the ways he's standing really affects it.

Starryskies · 01-30-2005 03:27 PM

AND he's not even three months old in these pictures---look how long his mane is already!

He's just growing so fast.

tmsStauffer · 02-09-2005 01:18 PM

My walker has been very narrow growing up....had him since he was born...and he was cowhocked...but as he is starting to fill out and thicken up...the cow hockish-ness is slowly becoming less noticable.

I think a lot of gaited horses have some sort of extra growth hormone for manes..HAHAHAHA. Riot's is 24 inches long or so...and he will be 2 in March.

oh..and we NEED more pictures

01-30-2005 01:51 AM	#4
Ch3vMama Ultimate Member Join Date: May 11 2004 Location: Alberta, Canada Posts: 1,744	Most horses, especially some gaited ones, like Morgans for example, tend to be a little cow hocked and a little toed in. It ads flair. LOL. (If paddling is flair.. hehe.) A little cow hocked has never really ever hurt a horse's conformation that I've seen. Worse is camped under or out and post legged. The bain of my existance for hind legs is sickle hocked. Some cutting horses has sickle hocks and it does help them get down but they'll wear out faster because they're using the joint so much more. Really don't worry about it until he's grown. You won't really know his conformation until then anyhow. Everything else is an educated guess. hehe. __________________ Photography, Graphic, Traditional Art Nikidun on deviantArt

02-09-2005 01:18 PM	#9
tmsStauffer Resident Hick Join Date: Jul 16 2003 Location: Southern Ohio-Bainbridge Posts: 12,105	My walker has been very narrow growing up....had him since he was born...and he was cowhocked...but as he is starting to fill out and thicken up...the cow hockish-ness is slowly becoming less noticable. I think a lot of gaited horses have some sort of extra growth hormone for manes..HAHAHAHA. Riot's is 24 inches long or so...and he will be 2 in March. oh..and we NEED more pictures __________________ Liberty(1995-2003) and Patriot(2003-2008) Currently Working On Artwork For A Brand New Equine SIM Game!

Thread Tools	Search this Thread
Show Printable Version Email this Page	Search this Thread: Advanced Search

01-29-2005 08:23 PM	#1
Starryskies New Member Join Date: Jan 29 2005 Posts: 5	I've just bought a foal---Rocky Mountain horse---that I absolutely LOVE, but he appears to have cow hocks. Some people have told me this is okay in gaited horses (this is my first one), while others have told me it can lead to lameness or problems, and at least a sloppy-moving back end. It is hard to tell completely because the way he stands changes the appearance, and he's growing so quickly! But I think he's going to turn out at least a little cow hocked. I'd like to do some competetive trail riding with him (when he's old enough), but I wondered how vulnerable cow hocks are to strain. Other than his hocks, he's got super build! Big, round hindquarters, a very deep chest, and well proportioned. Do you think his hocks could be that big of a problem, or lead to lameness? What is your experience?

01-29-2005 08:35 PM	#2
Aquiel Senior Member Join Date: Mar 03 2004 Location: Ladner, BC Posts: 375	I dont think you should be overly concerned. Last year when I first got my guy, he was cow hocked. Not terribly or anything, but as hes grown over the past year, its gotten better. Unless its affecting his movement, I'd say, just let him grow. Babies are growing so fast and in every which way, that they can look pretty funny.

01-29-2005 08:37 PM	#3
Aquiel Senior Member Join Date: Mar 03 2004 Location: Ladner, BC Posts: 375	Ahem...where are pics?????

01-30-2005 03:20 PM	#6
Starryskies New Member Join Date: Jan 29 2005 Posts: 5	Here are some pictures of him! I only have about a million!

01-30-2005 03:25 PM	#7
Starryskies New Member Join Date: Jan 29 2005 Posts: 5	Wow! It came up quite large on the screen! Anyway, isn't he adorable? Here's one that you can kind of get a better idea of his legs from, but once again, the ways he's standing really affects it.

01-30-2005 03:27 PM	#8
Starryskies New Member Join Date: Jan 29 2005 Posts: 5	AND he's not even three months old in these pictures---look how long his mane is already! He's just growing so fast.

Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)