COWHOCKED Meaning and
Definition
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Cowhocked is an adjective used to describe a physical condition seen in animals, particularly quadrupeds, where the hocks or hind legs appear abnormally turned inward or pigeon-toed. The condition is called cowhocked due to the resemblance it bears to the hind legs of a cow, which are typically set close together with the hocks pointing towards each other.
When an animal is cowhocked, the hocks turn inward, causing the legs to appear bowlegged from the hock joint down to the ankle or foot. This inward deviation affects the alignment of the hind limbs, resulting in a reduced ability to walk, run, and balance properly. The condition can be either congenital or acquired through injury, disease, or poor conformation.
Cowhocking can impact an animal’s movement, leading to difficulties in activities such as jumping, pivoting, or turning. The abnormal leg alignment can put undue stress on joints, tendons, and ligaments, potentially leading to lameness or other musculoskeletal issues if left untreated.
In veterinary medicine, it is crucial to detect and address cowhocking early on to prevent further complications and to mitigate the discomfort experienced by the affected animal. Treatment options may include administering corrective exercises, physical therapy, or the use of orthopedic devices such as splints or braces. Surgical intervention may also be considered for severe cases to realign the hocks and improve locomotion.
Common Misspellings for COWHOCKED
- xowhocked
- vowhocked
- fowhocked
- dowhocked
- ciwhocked
- ckwhocked
- clwhocked
- cpwhocked
- c0whocked
- c9whocked
- coqhocked
- coahocked
- coshocked
- coehocked
- co3hocked
- co2hocked
- cowgocked
- cowbocked
- cownocked
- cowjocked
Etymology of COWHOCKED
The word "cowhocked" has its origins in the combination of two words: "cow" and "hocked".
The term "cow" comes from Old English "cū", which refers to a female bovine animal. Over time, this term was extended to refer to bovine animals in general, specifically adult female cattle.
The term "hocked" comes from the noun "hock", which refers to the hind joint of a horse or other quadruped, equivalent to the human ankle. In an anatomical context, being "hocked" typically refers to excessive angulation or curvature of the hock joint.
By combining "cow" and "hocked", the term "cowhocked" is used to describe an animal, particularly horses, whose hock joints have an excessive inward or outward curvature, giving them a resemblance to the hock joint of a cow.
