1. Problems with the fetlock

2. Etymology and related terminology

3. See also

4. References

Fetlock is the common name for the metacarpophalangeal and metatarsophalangeal joints (MCPJ and MTPJ) of horses, large animals, and sometimes dogs. 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 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 (ginglymus), allowing flexion and extension, but minimal rotation, adduction, or abduction.

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.

Problems with the fetlock

• Windpuffs
• Sesamoiditis
• Osselet

In Thoroughbred race horses, the fetlock is involved in roughly 50% of catastrophic racing injuries.^[1]

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.^[2]

"Feather" 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 anatomy

References

• Dyce KM, Sack WO, Wensing CJG. Textbook of Veterinary Anatomy (2nd Ed.). W.B. Saunders, 1996, p. 591.

• The Roaring Trumpet
• The Roaring Twenties (TV series)
• The Roar of '74
• The Roar of Jefferson Airplane (album)
• The roar of the greasepaint
• The Roar of the Greasepaint--the Smell of the Crowd
• The Roar of the Greasepaint - The Smell of the Crowd
• The Roar of the Rails
• The Roast of Bob Saget
• The Robber
• The Robber Bridegroom
• The Robber Bridegroom (disambiguation)
• The Robbers (film)
• The Robbie Williams Show
• The Rob Brydon Show
• The Robert A. Heinlein Interview and other Heinleiniana
• The Robert A Heinlein Interview and other Heinleiniana
• The roberta martin singers
• The Roberta Martin Singers
• The Robert Day School
• The Robert Day School+
• The Robert E. Howard Reader
• The Robert Heinlein Interview
• The Robert Heinlein Interview, and other Heinleiniana
• The Robert Heinlein Interview and other Heinleiniana