The equine hock, also called the tarsus, is one of the most important structures in the horse’s hind limb. It plays a central role in movement, athletic performance, balance, and soundness. Because of this, the hock is also one of the most common locations for arthritis, strain, and performance-related lameness. Understanding how the hock works can help horse owners better recognize early signs of discomfort.

The equine carpus is one of the most important joints in the horse’s body. Every time a horse gallops, lands from a jump, turns sharply, or even walks across uneven ground, the carpus helps absorb force and stabilize the limb. Because of the tremendous stresses placed on it, the carpus is also one of the most commonly injured joints in athletic horses. Understanding how this joint works can help horse owners better recognize problems early.

"Curb" is a term that has been used in horse care and veterinary medicine for generations, yet it is often misunderstood. This article explores what curb is, the anatomy involved, common causes, clinical signs, diagnosis, treatment, rehabilitation, and prognosis.

Equine Protozoal Myeloencephalitis, commonly referred to as EPM, remains one of the most significant infectious neurologic diseases affecting horses in the Americas. This article is an advanced clinical and management overview of the disease.

Equine canker is a chronic, progressive disease affecting the hoof, most commonly the frog. It involves abnormal growth and breakdown of the hoof’s outer tissue layers. Learn what causes it, how to recognize it, and how to treat it.

Laminitis is a painful condition where the attachment between the hoof wall and the coffin bone becomes damaged. Learn it's causes, symptoms, and how to treat it.

Learn the 10 most common causes of lameness in pleasure horses, based on clinical prevalence in general equine practice

Equine laminitis is a debilitating and potentially fatal disorder of the hoof characterized by failure of the lamellar attachment apparatus. Although recognized for centuries under the term “founder,” scientific interpretations of its pathophysiology have undergone repeated paradigm shifts. Learn how our understanding of this diseased changed throughout history.

Hind limb lameness in horses is frequently attributed to the hock, stifle or back, but what are the symptoms and how do we determine which area is causing the lameness?

Learn everything there is to know about splint bones, from their anatomy to possible injuries and their symptoms.

Learn how to spot equine lameness in this comprehensive guide.

Learn the cause, treatment and prevention of quarter cracks

Learn about club feet: what causes them and how they are classified.

Abscesses are a common cause of lameness; learn their causes and symptoms

Navicular Disease, its history, and the term’s path to obsolescence The term navicular disease has been in literature for hundreds of...

Every movement your horse makes, from grazing quietly to clearing a jump, depends on the coordinated function of its joints. Understanding how joints work gives you a clearer picture of soundness, performance, and where problems can develop.

When it comes to therapeutic shoeing, few tools are as widely used—or misunderstood—as the egg bar shoe . These shoes aren’t just for...

Anatomy of a Heart Bar A “Bar Shoe” is any shoe that connects at the heels, leaving no opening in the back of the hoof. A “heart bar” is...

What is thrush? Thrush is an anaerobic bacteria and fungus found in the intestinal tract of hooved animals, such as horses. “Anaerobic” means that it grows and thrives in the absence of oxygen. Once thrush gets into a horse’s foot, it attacks the frog, central sulcus, and collateral sulci. In some cases, the infection may also create secondary complications like white line separation or seedy toe , especially if poor hoof hygiene continues. Although thrush is a somewhat commo

What is a tendon A tendon is a tough, flexible band of fibrous connective tissue that connects muscle to bone. It transmits the force...