Sickle Hocks answer?

[Wrecksduke@aol.com]

Hey, I found this ......  just FYI.
Melody   

Excessive angulation of the hock joints (sickle hock).  When viewed from the
side, the angle of the hock joint is decreased so that the horse is standing
under from the hock down.  The plantar aspect of the hock is under a great
stress, especially the plantar ligament.  A horse so affected is predisposed
to sprain and strain of soft tissue support structures on the plantar hock
region.  This is called "curby conformation".  From Horseowner's Guide to
Lameness by Ted S. Stashak, DVM in collaboration with Cherry Hill.

    When you view a horse from the side, the point of his hock should be below
the point of buttocks with the cannon relatively straight.  A deviation from
this might be a horse with an entire hind limb that is set under too much
(often called standing under behind) or a limb that is set out normally but
with a hock that is too angulated (sickle hock).

    Some horsemen rationalize that a horse that stands under or has sickle
hocks will collect easier or stop with its hind legs under it better and this
may be true to some degree but soundness problems often occur and especially
if traction devices are used on the shoes.

    Of course, as with any conformational aspect, there are "degrees" as in
slightly sickle hocked to extremely sickle hocked.  Your best bet if
considering purchasing a horse for jumping with this conformational trait is
to have a veterinarian evaluate the horse and also have a very respected
knowledgeable horseman experienced in jumping that is in your area evaluate
the horse.  If you already have a horse with sickle hocks, learn how to
monitor the limbs for early soreness.