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This is a condition affecting the hindquarters. This is characterised by ossification of the joint making up the hock, the end result being a stiffening of this joint. The causitive factors may range from sport related stress such as with trotting race horses, to overworking a carthorse. Typically these horses can be seen to perpetually stand on their "Toes", and are unable to make a complete stepping action. Frequently these horses are especially lame in the morning, and then improve as the day progresses.
One can attempt to diagnose the condition by the following method. One takes the hind leg and bends it forwards under the stomach - hold it there for about one minute - then bring the horse immediately into a trot (best done by smacking it on the rump). If one observes a definate lameness in this leg, one needs to have the animal x-rayed (shows up ossification).
Relief of these symptoms is by shoeing the animal with an orthopaedic shoe. The twin heels of the shoe are built up in order to compensate for this "Tip-toed" stance of the horse; once again allowing the full service of the hoof to make contact with the ground, ensuring the re-establishment of the balance of the Hoof Mechanism. The front of the shoe has an upturned toe to allow a better rolling action of the hoof.
If the ossification has not built up significantly, one can eventually bring about an improvement in the condition by exercising the unridden/unloaded horse on a soft paddock.