Soundness Score

  A soundness score will be printed on the sale day data sheet.

Hoof and soundness scoring is not an exact science, but in order to place a subjective score on these bulls for your consideration, a committee evaluates them at the sale considering hooves, joint angularity and movement. A scale of 1 to 10 is used, with 1 being essentially unsound and 10 perfect. Keep in mind that perfection is seldom attained. Conditions that may be encountered and the relative scoring are given below.

10 or 9
Perfect or near-perfect in hoof size, toe shape, joint angles and movement. No blemishes.

8, 7 or 6
Bulls would be considered basically sound. Good foot size, even toes, good heel depth, correct slope to pasterns, legs and shoulders.

5 or 4
Bulls in this range have acceptable soundness with no serious problems. Would include mild toe unevenness, slight rolling of toes, moderate heel depth, some possible toe growth and only slightly excessive angle or straightness to shoulder, hock, and pasterns.

3, 2 or 1
One or more serious faults that impair their movement and expected longevity. Includes excessive toe growth, spread toes, hooves that roll under, corns, uneven toes, cracked hooves, too little or too much angle to shoulder, hock and/or pastern resulting in short or long strides. Possible swollen joints.

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