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Date Posted: 20:26:43 06/09/09 Tue
Author: Sharon B
Subject: Hocks in Performance Horses
In reply to: Robin 's message, "Great Stuff" on 17:50:37 06/09/09 Tue

Robin, most horses are not bred for their hocks to touch. I cannot speak for pulling horses since I don't know that much about them. Horses bred for performance; i.e., racing, eventing, hunting and jumping are not bred for their hocks to touch. Quite the opposite.

A horse's main motive power comes from the hindquarter, the thrust developed by those big muscles must be transmitted through the hock to the hoof. The hock must be big enough, massive enough, to take that thrust without injury. No matter how powerful the motive muscles are, if the hock cannot handle the strain, the horse cannot run, jump, suddenly change direction, or do collected movements without risk of breakdown. When a horse walks away from you in a straight line, the movement of the hock should be forward and back, and should not wobble to the outside or inside when that foot is on the ground and the horse's weight is full on it. An outward wobble as the weight passes over it suggests hock weakness.

Having owned and bred performance horses, I like to see dogs with strong hocks. As you already know, all of the power -- dogs and horses -- comes from the rear.

Sharon

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