In a word, friction. When your horse rises from laying down or rolling the hock takes the pressure. Soft bedding can be helpful to avoid abrasion for some horses, but for others it doesn’t seem to make a difference.

If left untreated they may lead to more serious issues, so it is recommended you consult your vet with your horse’s concerns. Hock sores can be managed to prevent infection, discomfort or potential complications such as arthritis.

Necessity is the mother of invention! When my mare developed hock sores, I had to find something that would stay in place to comfort & heal. It was frustrating, the products I tried didn’t work consistently so I set out to design a shield that would check all the boxes:

• Ripstop fabric that breathes to allow for healing.

• Silicone sided elastic that helps the shield to stay in place without placing pressure on tendons.

• Padded & shaped to the hock to allow freedom of movement.

• Shields you can hose off & hang on a stall rail to dry in 30 minutes.

• MOST IMPORTANT is that they stay on your horse long enough for your horse’s hocks to heal!

Cleaning your Happy Hock shields is a breeze! Just hose them off and hang them on a stall rail to dry. They’ll be ready to use again in about 30 minutes. Easy peasy!

We offer Happy Hock shields in various sizes to fit different horses. Check our size guide on the product page to find the perfect fit for your horse.

Happy Hock shields are specifically designed for the hock joint on the rear legs. For front leg protection, we recommend looking into other specialized products.

Cleaning your Happy Hock shields is a breeze! Just hose them off and hang them on a stall rail to dry. They’ll be ready to use again in about 30 minutes. Easy peasy!