My 8 year old is currently schooling 2nd and inching towards 3rd. I’m asking for more collection and sit in the canter. My concern is that he is cow hocked. What are my concerns as far as asking him to load those joints? I am planning to start Pentisan shortly. Anything else? Input?
Being cow hocked can be a major function of lack of conditioning. The younger a horse is or the more out of shape they are, the more cow hocked they are. When they start to get stronger and build up those muscles inside the hind legs, they no longer are. If he’s really 2nd level, he should have more muscling in the hind end from the collection and not be so cow hocked.
Every young horse I’ve started was at least a little cow hocked. As they got in shape, they straightened out.
Unless there are some real physical issues that need to be addressed, I would deal with it by getting the horse conditioned. I wouldn’t give anything for the joints unless he actually needs them.
His musculature is very appropriate for second level. It’s a conformation flaw with him. His knees have straightened out quite a bit (he was knock kneed as a youngster) and is a bit over at the right knee. He has a few faults in his legs, but the cow hocks are the only ones that have not and likely will not resolve.
His cow hocks are what will keep him from ever having stifle issues. One of the best dressage horses I ever had was cow hocked. Do NOT be afraid to keep going! Using joint supplements- like Pentosan, to cover him, is a great idea. He’ll let you know if there is something he can’t do, but cow hocks can actually help you. Best of luck!!
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A lot of top horses are cow hocked.
Cow hocked and toed-out behind are two completely different things. A horse should toe-out behind, but true cow hocks are not good.
I would say it’s true cow hocks- when you look at him directly from behind, the hind leg forms a “v” shape with the narrowest point being the hocks.
I realize this is a conformational weakness, but what exactly are the implications of “not good?” I’m looking for what can come along with this particular fault.
Do you have a picture? I think it depends on degree. As others said, to a degree it’s good. I know with jumpers it can allow them to be better jumpers.
I can’t find any pictures, but on this page scroll down. A seems fine. B would seem to cause problems. http://www.gaitedhorses.net/ConformationLesson/RearEnds/RearEndConformation.html
