fetlock

Meanings

1. 1
   noun

   the joint of a horse's leg between the cannon bone and the pastern, above the hoof

   The rope tightened around the horse's leg just below the fetlock.

2. 2
   noun

   the projection or tuft of hair at the back of this joint

   Long hair covered the draft horse's fetlock.

From Middle English fitlok or fetlak, related to Old English fot, 'foot.' The second element was later associated with lock, 'tuft of hair,' which suited the hair growing behind the joint, though that analysis is historically uncertain.

Topics