All Topics  
Fetlock

 
Fetlock

 
   Email Print
   Bookmark   Link
 

 

Fetlock
 
 
  Topics Fetlock Topic Home

Fetlock is the common name for the metacarpophalangeal and metatarsophalangeal joint
Joint

A joint is the location at which two or more bones make contact. They are constructed to allow movement and provide mechanical support, and are classified structurally and functionally....
s (MCPJ and MTPJ) of the horse
Horse

The horse is a hoofed mammal, a subspecies of one of seven extant species of the family Equidae. The horse has evolution of the horse over the past 45 to 55 million years from a small multi-toed creature into the large, odd-toed ungulate animal of today....
. It is formed by the junction of the third metacarpal (forelimb) or metatarsal (hindlimb) bones (common name: the cannon bones) proximad and the proximal phalanx distad (common name: the pastern
Pastern

The pastern is a part of the horse between the fetlock joint and the hoof, or between the wrist and forepaw of a dog. It is the equivalent to the two largest bones found in the human finger....
 bone). Paired proximal sesamoid bones articulate with the palmar or plantar distal surface of the third metacarpal or metatarsal bones and are rigidly fixed to the proximo-palmar / -plantar edge of the proximal phalanx.

The fetlock is a hinge joint
Hinge joint

In the hinge joint , the articular surfaces are moulded to each other in such a manner as to permit motion only in one plane, forward and backward, the extent of motion at the same time being considerable....
 (ginglymus), allowing flexion
Flexion

In anatomy, flexion is a position that is made possible by the joint angle decreasing. The skeletal and muscular systems work together to move the joint into a "flexed" position....
 and extension
Extension (kinesiology)

Extension is a movement of a joint that results in increased angle between two bones or body surfaces at a joint. Extension usually results in straightening of the bones or body surfaces involved....
, but minimal rotation
Rotation

A rotation is a movement of an object in a circular motion. A two-dimensional object rotates around a center of rotation. A Three-dimensional space object rotates around a line called an axis....
, adduction
Adduction

Adduction is a movement which brings a limb ? arm or leg ? closer to the Sagittal#Planes of the body. It is opposed to abduction .This term is also used in reference to the operation of the muscle in anatomy or musculature....
, or abduction
Abduction

Abduction may refer to:...
.

While sometimes colloquially referred to as an "ankle," even by horse experts, the terminology is not correct.






Discussion
Ask a question about 'Fetlock'
Start a new discussion about 'Fetlock'
Answer questions from other users
Full Discussion Forum



Recent Posts

i have a three year old mare who was diag. with arthritis in her front fetlock. she has swelling in ...








Encyclopedia


Fetlock is the common name for the metacarpophalangeal and metatarsophalangeal joint
Joint

A joint is the location at which two or more bones make contact. They are constructed to allow movement and provide mechanical support, and are classified structurally and functionally....
s (MCPJ and MTPJ) of the horse
Horse

The horse is a hoofed mammal, a subspecies of one of seven extant species of the family Equidae. The horse has evolution of the horse over the past 45 to 55 million years from a small multi-toed creature into the large, odd-toed ungulate animal of today....
. It is formed by the junction of the third metacarpal (forelimb) or metatarsal (hindlimb) bones (common name: the cannon bones) proximad and the proximal phalanx distad (common name: the pastern
Pastern

The pastern is a part of the horse between the fetlock joint and the hoof, or between the wrist and forepaw of a dog. It is the equivalent to the two largest bones found in the human finger....
 bone). Paired proximal sesamoid bones articulate with the palmar or plantar distal surface of the third metacarpal or metatarsal bones and are rigidly fixed to the proximo-palmar / -plantar edge of the proximal phalanx.

The fetlock is a hinge joint
Hinge joint

In the hinge joint , the articular surfaces are moulded to each other in such a manner as to permit motion only in one plane, forward and backward, the extent of motion at the same time being considerable....
 (ginglymus), allowing flexion
Flexion

In anatomy, flexion is a position that is made possible by the joint angle decreasing. The skeletal and muscular systems work together to move the joint into a "flexed" position....
 and extension
Extension (kinesiology)

Extension is a movement of a joint that results in increased angle between two bones or body surfaces at a joint. Extension usually results in straightening of the bones or body surfaces involved....
, but minimal rotation
Rotation

A rotation is a movement of an object in a circular motion. A two-dimensional object rotates around a center of rotation. A Three-dimensional space object rotates around a line called an axis....
, adduction
Adduction

Adduction is a movement which brings a limb ? arm or leg ? closer to the Sagittal#Planes of the body. It is opposed to abduction .This term is also used in reference to the operation of the muscle in anatomy or musculature....
, or abduction
Abduction

Abduction may refer to:...
.

While sometimes colloquially referred to as an "ankle," even by horse experts, the terminology is not correct. The fetlock actually is a Metacarpophalangeal joint
Metacarpophalangeal joint

The metacarpophalangeal joints are of the condyloid kind, formed by the reception of the rounded heads of the metacarpal bones into shallow cavities on the proximal ends of the first phalanges, with the exception of that of the thumb, which presents more of the characters of a ginglymoid joint....
 which corresponds to the human knuckle
Knuckle

The knuckles are the joints of the fingers and toes, which are brought into prominence when the hand is clenched and a fist is made. The word is derived from the diminutive of a word for bone, found in German language Knochen/Kn?chlein....
, such as that on the ball
Ball (anatomy)

The ball of the foot is where the toes join with the rest of the foot. It is muscular and easily blistered.Dancers and runners often move with their weight on the balls of their feet for better balance....
 of the foot.

Problems with the Fetlock

  • Windpuff
    Windpuff

    Windpuffs or Windgalls are distentions of a tendon sheath, bursa, or joint capsule on a horse's legs, usually on the fetlock....
    s
  • Sesamoiditis
    Sesamoiditis

    Sesamoiditis is inflammation of the sesamoid bones. In humans it occurs on the bottom of the foot, just behind the large toe. There are normally two sesamoid bones on each foot; sometimes sesamoids can be bipartite, which means they each comprise two separate pieces....
  • Osselet
    Osselet

    Osselet is arthritis in the fetlock joint of a horse....


Etymology and related terminology

The word fetlock literally means "foot-lock" and originally referred to the small tuft of hair situated on the rear of the fetlock joint.

"Feather
Feathering (horse)

Feathering, or feather, is a term used to describe the long hair on the lower legs and fetlocks of some Horse breeds of horse and pony. On some horses, especially Draft horse breeds, the hair can almost cover the horse hoof....
" refers to the particularly long, luxuriant hair growth over the lower leg and fetlock that is characteristic of certain breeds.

See also

  • Equine forelimb anatomy
    Equine forelimb anatomy

    The equine forelimb is the front, or thoracic limb of the horse. It is attached to the trunk of the animal by purely muscular connections ....
  • Equine anatomy
  • Feathering (horse)
    Feathering (horse)

    Feathering, or feather, is a term used to describe the long hair on the lower legs and fetlocks of some Horse breeds of horse and pony. On some horses, especially Draft horse breeds, the hair can almost cover the horse hoof....