A condition of a cow in which the hocks are close together and the fetlocks (located just above the hoof) wide apart.

Viewed from behind, the point of hocks point toward each other, resulting in the rear feet pointing outward.

When the hocks turn toward each other.

hocks bending inwards when in a natural stance

Hocks turning in, accompanied by toeing out of rear feet.

When the hocks turn towards each other.

Cow-hocked is the condition in a livestock animal where the back leg joints of the animal are set incorrectly. This term is used to describe when the back 'knee' on an animal is set inward, resulting in a splayed look in the back legs. This can result in the uneven wearing of hooves, which can end up in permanent lameness, and can prove to be a very serious condition.