what does the fetlock do

What does the fetlock do? The fetlock is a hinge joint (ginglymus), allowing flexion and extension, but only allowing minimal rotation, adduction

, or abduction. What is a fetlock joint? Fetlock is a term used for the joint where the cannon bone, the proximal sesamoid bones, and the first phalanx (long pastern bone) meet.

Full Answer

What is the purpose of the fetlock?

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 does fetlock do to horses?

The hind end fetlock plays a critical role in supporting the horse's weight. As a result, lameness can be seen even with minor injuries. Lameness is relatively easy to notice in this joint because the soft tissue structures of the fetlock have limited protective coverings (i.e. fascia and fatty tissue).

Where is the horses fetlock located?

A 'horses fetlock' is a name of a joint between the horses cannon bone and pastern bone and is 'the ankle' of a horse. At the rear of the fetlock joint is a small bone called the sesamoid. Unlike humans ankles, the horse's leg has no muscles and are in fact more similar to our fingers than our arms or legs.

Is a fetlock part of a horse's foot?

A horse's fetlock is the back part of its leg, just above the hoof.

What happens if a horse breaks its fetlock joints?

Very severe damage to the suspensory ligaments, including fracture of both sesamoid bones, is a catastrophic injury and can cause a compromise of blood flow to the foot. Some horses can still be used for breeding by surgical immobilization of the fetlock joint so that the bones grow solidly together.

Do horses need fetlock boots?

This may be due to brushing or rough play in the field, and your horse may need boots. If your horse regularly injures the inside his fetlock or pastern, has sustained a more significant injury, or is regularly walking on rough terrain, boots will help protect from injury.

Can a horse survive a fractured fetlock?

As these fractures involve a large amount of energy at speed, with fractures comes severe trauma to the bones and the soft tissues surrounding them. Taking into account many factors, survival rates for fetlock arthrodesis after a breakdown injury is approximately 50- 60 per cent.

What is the hair on the fetlock called?

Ergots are found on the back of a horse's fetlock on all four legs, usually covered with hair.

Can a horse sprain a fetlock?

Many of us refer to this as a 'fetlock sprain' and will often be hot and painful to touch. Along with injuries to fetlocks some horses suffer from what is known as 'fetlock drop' which is a genetically inherited condition where the horses connective-tissue abnormally breaks down.

Why do horses wear fetlock boots?

Tendon and Fetlock Boots Tendon boots protect the horse's front legs from strikes from the hind hooves which can occur when landing a jump. In comparison, fetlock boots are used on the horse's hind legs and just protect the fetlock from brushing injuries. There are many different styles available.

Why do you put a horse down if it breaks its leg?

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.

How many fetlocks does a horse have?

four fetlocksThe ergot is a small callosity (Calcar metacarpeum and Calcar metatarseum) on the underside of the fetlock of a horse or other equine. Some equines have them on all four fetlocks; others have few or no detectable ergots.

What causes a horses fetlock to drop?

The most commonly implicated tendon associated with subtle dropping of the fetlock is the suspensory ligament. Cutting of the flexor tendons and suspensory ligament causes collapse of the fetlock to the ground. There is a great range of normal conformation in horses.

Can a horse survive a fractured fetlock?

As these fractures involve a large amount of energy at speed, with fractures comes severe trauma to the bones and the soft tissues surrounding them. Taking into account many factors, survival rates for fetlock arthrodesis after a breakdown injury is approximately 50- 60 per cent.

How do fetlock boots work?

Fetlock boots are used on the hind legs to prevent brushing injuries and knocks on the horse's fetlock. They are usually hard shelled to protect against strikes from the opposite leg, however they can come in various other materials too.

What causes fetlock injury?

Causes include poor conformation, improper shoeing, or repeated jarring injury from working on hard ground. Trauma and infection, especially wire-cut wounds, are other causes. In light horses, the condition may result from strains on ligaments and tendons in the pastern region.

What is the fetlock in the MCPJ?

A fetlock (a MCPJ or a MTPJ) is formed by the junction of the third metacarpal (in the forelimb) or metatarsal (in the hindlimb) bones, either of which are commonly called the cannon bones, proximad and the proximal phalanx distad, commonly called the pastern bone.

What is the name of the joint in a horse called?

Fetlock. Fetlock is the common name in horses, large animals, and sometimes dogs for the metacarpophalangeal and metatarsophalangeal joints (MCPJ and MTPJ). Although it somewhat resembles the human ankle in appearance, the joint is technically more similar to the ball of the foot.

What is the tuft of hair on the back of the fetlock?

Etymology and related terminology. The word fetlock literally means "foot-lock" and refers to the small tuft of hair situated on the rear of the fetlock joint. " Feather " refers to the particularly long, luxuriant hair growth over the lower leg and fetlock that is characteristic of certain breeds.

Which bones are proximal sesamoid?

Paired proximal sesamoid bones form the joint with the palmar or plantar distal surface of the third metacarpal or metatarsal bones, and are rigidly fixed to the proximo-palmar or -plantar edge of the proximal phalanx.

Is the fetlock an 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.

Is the hoof the ball of the foot?

Although it somewhat resembles the human ankle in appearance, the joint is technically more similar to the ball of the foot. In anatomical terms, the hoof corresponds to the toe, rather than the whole foot.

Fractures of Phalanges and Proximal Sesamoids

Fractures of the long pastern bone (first phalanx) are not uncommon in racehorses or other performance horses. They may be small “chip” fractures, fractures along the length of the bone (split pastern), or comminuted fractures in which the bone is broken into multiple fragments.

Osselets

Osselets refers to inflammation of the connective tissue that surrounds the cannon bone (between the fetlock joint and the carpus) and the fetlock joint. The inflammation may involve arthritis and can progress to degenerative joint disease.

Ringbone

Ringbone is inflammation of the connective tissue surrounding the pastern bone or osteoarthritis in the digits. It leads to the development of spurs or outgrowths of bone. Causes include poor conformation, improper shoeing, or repeated jarring injury from working on hard ground. Trauma and infection, especially wire-cut wounds, are other causes.

Sesamoiditis

The sesamoid bones in the fetlock are kept in position by ligaments. Due to the great stress placed on the fetlock during racing, the sesamoid bones are susceptible to injuries. Inflammation of the sesamoid bones, or sesamoiditis, can result in bony changes (including the excessive production or loss of bone).

Villonodular Synovitis (Chronic Proliferative Synovitis)

Villonodular synovitis is inflammation of a fibrous cartilage pad found in the upper, front portion of the membrane (joint capsule) surrounding the forelimb fetlock joint. It is thought to be caused by repetitive trauma from exercise.

Digital Sheath Tenosynovitis (Windgalls, Windpuffs)

The digital sheath surrounds the digital flexor tendons, extending from the lower third of the cannon bone to the navicular bursa within the hoof.

For More Information

Also see professional content regarding disorders of the fetlock and pastern Disorders of the Pastern and Fetlock Disorders of the pastern and fetlock include fractures and a number of inflammatory conditions. read more .

What is ESPA in horses?

ESPA is also known as degenerative suspensory ligament desmitis , commonly called DSLD. This condition was not in any text book in the 1980’s when I went to vet school. While no one has given a substantial explanation, I have a theory. As with all the new diseases and conditions now seen in the horse, I simply ask what has changed. In a word, grain. Specifically the addition of wheat middlings and other byproducts of the grain industry.

What does DSLD stand for in horses?

Dropped Fetlocks (DSLD) In Horses – The Horse's Advocate

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Is there money available to test horse theories?

Unfortunately there is no money available to test these theories. Only observations by trainers like you and the willingness of changing the feeding of horses to a time 50 years ago when these diseases were rare or nonexistent. Maybe you are willing to try a no grain approach to a few of your horses in training and take accurate notes. Include lameness, disease, work ethic, endurance, muscle mass and overall temperament.

Overview

Etymology and related terminology

Formation

As a hinge joint

Anatomy compared to that of humans

Problems with the fetlock

See also