How many tarsals does an equine hock have?

How many tarsals does an equine hock have?

• A. 4
• B. 5
• C. 6
• D. 7

Answer: (C)

The number of tarsal bones in the equine hock is six, because in horses some distal tarsal bones are fused, reducing the total from seven to six. The hock is a cluster of bones working together as the hindlimb’s ankle joint, and the navicular bone is a separate distal sesamoid in the hoof, not counted among the tarsals. So six is the standard count for the equine hock.

The number of tarsal bones in the equine hock is six, because in horses some distal tarsal bones are fused, reducing the total from seven to six. The hock is a cluster of bones working together as the hindlimb’s ankle joint, and the navicular bone is a separate distal sesamoid in the hoof, not counted among the tarsals. So six is the standard count for the equine hock.