Sickle Hocked

[mainecattlemother]

We have a Star Power heifer that did not have any leg problems when young and was very sound and now that the weather is warming up in West Central Minnesota my daughters were out today and did a bang up job cleaning the animals up, walking them and then doing a little livestock judging. My daughter pointed out the fact that she thinks she is a little sickle hocked.  She did point out that she is badly in need of a hoof trimming, which we have scheduled for the next week.  Could this be the reason she looks sickle hocked or do you think it may be a structure issue?  Any comments would be appreciated.

 

[Bulldaddy]

Hoof trimming may help your daughters heifer but sometimes being sickle hocked makes the toes grow long and need trimming.  For what it is worth, I would much rather have an animal that is sickle hocked (has too much set to the hocks) than one that is post or straight legged. 

 

[Simmgal]

Hoof trimming may help your daughters heifer but sometimes being sickle hocked makes the toes grow long and need trimming.  For what it is worth, I would much rather have an animal that is sickle hocked (has too much set to the hocks) than one that is post or straight legged. 

I agree. I have had this happen and they can be just a touch sickle hocked and that can cause hoof problems. You can always try trimming and see what happens.

 

[olsun]

In this day and age, I would consider having a little set to the hocks as a plus. Nearly all of the bulls that are considered good clubby bulls, and even many purebreds are a little too straight. If your heifer has a little set to her hocks, you have a lot more breeding options than the person with a heifer that is a little too straight.Also, a little set is not a soundness issue, it is only an appearance issue. A good judge should not see this as a great issue. JMO

 

[Jacob B]

I see the foot trimming do her a lot of good.  Often those cattle that have that appearence seem to not have much heal on the foot they are standing on.  I try to find females with a good amount of heal as well as a good amount of set to that hind leg.  I would hope that any good judge wouldn't have a problem, if fact would appriciate an animal with a good amount of set to that hind leg.  That leg doesn't give that appearance of as much power as the straight leg but to me the soundness should come before the power.

 

[mainecattlemother]

Update:  Hooves were trimmed today and she appears to be better but will watch in the next couple of days.  She does appear walk smoother and definately was not short strided.

 

[chiangus]

Update:  Hooves were trimmed today and she appears to be better but will watch in the next couple of days.  She does appear walk smoother and definately was not short strided.

And it should only get better in my experience.