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Evaluating Soundness/Correctness
 Hocks
Hocks should be constructed of a clean, flat
bone with a slight degree of set allowing for
maximum power and mobility. The picture on the
left shows a heifer whose hock is too straight
(post-legged). This lack of set to the hock severely
limits flexibility in the hock, and puts a lot
of stress on the joint because it does not have
an opportunity to give. This continuous stress
can often result in the hock swelling and the
heifer becoming lame. The middle picture is an
example of heifer with hocks that have too much
set, a defect referred to as being sickle hocked.
This hock structure forces the rear feet too far
up under the heifer, adding pressure to the hip
and rump. The right photo shows a heifer with
a very round bone design that is turned in at
her hocks resulting in her feet being turned out.
This cow-hocked condition does not provide for
good balance of the heifer's weight, and places
additional stress on the inside of the toes and
ankles.
Here is a heifer that exhibits the correct set
to the hocks and a square, flat boned design.
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