The Reciprocal System of the hindlimb - what is it and what does it mean?

Just a quick ‘did you know’ post to get our brains working this evening 🤓

Your horse’s hind limb comprises of a series of joints 🦴

Hopefully you are familiar with some of these, starting from the top:

▪️The Hip

▪️The Stifle

▪️The Hock

▪️The Fetlock

(there are more joints but these are the main ones we can see and feel from the outside of the horse)

Most joints in the horses body are able to work independently from one another.

However in the hind limb there is a special arrangement of muscles, tendons and ligaments which mean that the Stifle and Hock move together, mirroring one another 🔁

This is called the Reciprocal system.

This means that when the hock is flexed so is the stifle and when the hock is extended the stifle is also.

This is also part of your horse’s ‘stay apparatus’ that enables them to sleep standing up 💤

When the stifle locks into position the hock is also stable and immobilised.

This position can be maintained causing no muscle fatigue, enabling the horse to rest 😌

Next time you pick up your horse’s back feet take a look at how when you lift the foot the hock and stifle move together.

This is also why when you see me mobilising your horse’s hind limbs during treatment I must move and feel the hock and stifle simultaneously.

I hope you find this post useful ☺️

Jess | Jessica Limpkin Equine Massage Therapy