Shanks, Socks, Hocks, are not worth the effort
Tradition overrules commercial decision - Shanks drop off themselves in time
| Disadvantages of removing Shanks | Advantages of removing Shanks |
| Buyers don't want them | The sheep look better - some say |
| If they are in the sample, buyers will discount the wool | Cork Screw and Barley Grass doesn't get caught up |
| Shanks blunten shearers gear quicker, due to dirt and seed | |
| Tight shanks need pointed gear to remove them, and pointed gear cuts skin easier | |
| A cut shank is worse than a cut on the sheep's body as there is no meat only skin, sinew, and bone, the sheep will limp for a long time | |
| The woolhandlers trying to remove the shanks from the fleece wool will not get it all, and therefore spend less time on more important jobs which can help the woolgrower increase the quality of the wool | |
| Shearers take longer to shear the sheep - more cost for the grower if the shed takes longer |