Tarsal bone that creates the point of the hock. It is the point of insertion for the common calcaneal tendon and acts as the main lever for hockextension.

A chemical element with the symbol Ca, it is a soft silvery alkaline earth metal. It is essential for living organisms in particular in cell physiology, where movement of calcium ions into and out of the cells functions as a signal for many cellular processes. As a major material used in the mineralisation of bones, calcium is the most abundant metal by mass in many animals.

A traction device consisting of a projection from the ground surface of the horseshoe in the region of the heels. In contrast to a stud which is generally a removable device, a calkin is forged, welded or brazed on. In the States, a calkin (caulk) can be used synonymously to a stud.

An area of skin which is thicker and harder than surrounding skin. It is caused by repeated pressure or friction in a certain area.

On bone, the formation of a bone callus is an integral part of the body's fracture repair process and can lead to a pronounced thickening of the bone's cortex

Conformational term relating to forelimb or hindlimbstance as viewed from the side.

Forelimb: the leg axis is straight, but is angled to the back; a vertical line dropped from the elbow meets the ground in the toe region of the hoof.

Hindlimb: the entire limb is placed too far forward; a line dropped from the point of the buttock passes behind the point of the hock and hits the ground well behind the hoof. The axis of the cannon bone slopes slightly to the front.

Conformational term relating to forelimb or hindlimbstance as viewed from the side.

Forelimb: the leg axis is straight, but is angled to the back; a vertical line dropped from the elbow meets the ground in the toe region of the hoof.

Hindlimb: the entire limb is placed too far forward; a line dropped from the point of the buttock passes behind the point of the hock and hits the ground well behind the hoof. The axis of the cannon bone slopes slightly to the front.

A conformational fault of the hindlimb seen from the side. A line dropped from the point of the buttock passes in front of the point of the hock and along the hind cannon bone. The cannon bone may be straight or angled slightly backwards. The hoof generally has steep heels.

Conformational term relating to forelimbstance as viewed from the side. The leg axis is straight, but is angled to the front, a vertical line dropped from the elbow meets the ground well behind the hoof.

Cancellous bone has a spongy structure consisting of interconnecting rods and plates of bone (called trabeculae). The spaces surrounding the trabeculae contain blood vessels and bone marrow.  Cancellous bone is located primarily at the ends of long bones and in the vertebrae and is always surrounded by the denser compact bone.

A chronic hypertrophic disease of the dermis (corium) and horn producing epithelium of the frog, the sole and occasionally the wall. The disease presents layers of soft, occasionally necrotic horn over a swollen dermis covered in a foul smelling exudate that bleeds easily. Cause is chronic exposure to damp and unhygienic conditions and neglected hoof care. Treatment is time consuming and involves the surgical removal of all affected tissue.