What is cow-hocked?

Answer 1

Cow-hocked is one of many terms for structural issues in the legs of equines and ungulates alike. Cow-hocked does not specifically refer to cows with bad hocks, but actually is a term meaning that the hocks (the back leg joint above the lower leg bone) are angled inwards towards each other instead of angling straight-on. When the hocks are angled inwards, this makes the back feet turn out, or be splay-footed. Animals that are cow-hocked tend to have issues walking properly, making their back feet swing out a bit instead of forming a straight line. This is a bad issue in horses, male ungulates (bulls, rams, billy goats, bull elk, bison bulls, etc.) and even in females.

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