fetlock

noun

fet·​lock ˈfet-ˌläk 

1

a

: a projection bearing a tuft of hair on the back of the leg above the hoof of a horse or similar animal see horse illustration

b

: the tuft of hair itself

2

: the joint of the limb at the fetlock

Example Sentences

Recent Examples on the Web

Parker's other offspring, a male calf, was euthanized at three weeks old in July 2022 after the zoo's veterinary staff could not correct a congenital abnormality in the calf's left front fetlock joint, USA Today reported. —Anna Lazarus Caplan, Peoplemag, 14 Feb. 2023

His other offspring, a male giraffe born to Kipenzi on July 12, 2022, was euthanized at three weeks old after multiple interventions to correct a congenital abnormality of his left front fetlock joint failed. —Marcia Greenwood, USA TODAY, 14 Feb. 2023

Even fans who wouldn’t know a furlong from a fetlock, understand that Derby Day requires the widest brims, the boldest colors and the most outrageous equestrian clichés. —Michael Solomon, Forbes, 7 May 2022

First racing fatality Del Mar nearly made it through the entire meeting (almost 2,500 starters) without a racing fatality, but the 2-year-old colt Honor Award was euthanized after suffering a fractured right front fetlock in the second race. —Bill Center, San Diego Union-Tribune, 6 Sep. 2021

Omaha Beach was found Thursday to be suffering from light swelling in his right hind fetlock, Mandella said, and his team made the decision to pull him from the race. —Lucas Aulbach, The Courier-Journal, 23 Jan. 2020

Training accident at Del Mar Bowl of Soul, a 3-year-old filly for Bob Baffert suffered a rare hind fetlock injury during training on Monday and was euthanized. —Los Angeles Times, 31 July 2019

Bowl of Soul, a 3-year-old filly was euthanized after sustaining an injury to her hind fetlock, a joint similar to an ankle, while training on July 29, according to the California Horse Racing Board. —Hollie Silverman, CNN, 13 Aug. 2019

Del Mar had its third training fatality on Monday when Bowl of Soul, trained by Bob Baffert, broke down with an injury to her right hind fetlock, which is similar to an ankle. —John Cherwa, San Diego Union-Tribune, 30 July 2019

See More

Word History

Etymology

Middle English fitlok, fetlak; akin to Old English fōt foot

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Kids Definition

fetlock

noun

fet·​lock ˈfet-ˌläk 

1

: a projection with a bunch of hair on the back of a horse's leg above the hoof

2

: the bunch of hair growing out of the fetlock

Medical Definition

fetlock

noun

fet·​lock ˈfet-ˌläk 

1

a

: a projection bearing a tuft of hair on the back of the leg above the hoof of a horse or similar animal

b

: the tuft of hair itself

2

: the joint of the limb at the fetlock