fetlock
Americannoun
-
the projection of the leg of a horse behind the joint between the cannon bone and great pastern bone, bearing a tuft of hair.
-
the tuft of hair itself.
-
Also called fetlock joint. the joint at this point.
noun
-
a projection behind and above a horse's hoof: the part of the leg between the cannon bone and the pastern
-
Also called: fetlock joint. the joint at this part of the leg
-
the tuft of hair growing from this part
Etymology
Origin of fetlock
1275–1325; Middle English fitlok, akin to Middle High German viz ( ze ) loch, ultimately derivative of Germanic *fet-, a gradational variant of *fot- foot
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
It’s a repetitive strain injury that results in a fracture to the cannon bone above the fetlock due to large loads transmitted during high-speed workouts.
From Washington Times ● Oct. 29, 2023
Bowl of Soul, a 3-year-old filly for Bob Baffert suffered a rare hind fetlock injury during training on Monday and was euthanized.
From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 31, 2019
The colt was said to have “chronic bruising of the bottom of the cannon bone in all four fetlock joints.”
From New York Times ● Mar. 4, 2016
The nonprofit’s success in restricting development has made big properties all the more inviting to wealthy newcomers who may or may not know a forelock from a fetlock.
From Washington Post ● Apr. 10, 2015
I place my thumb and forefinger on the back of his fetlock.
From "Water for Elephants" by Sara Gruen
![]()
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.