FITTING CATTLE FOR SHOW RING. 131 



about the points of the horns, not even an expert will be able 

 to detect your handiwork. 



The next step is to smooth the horn. This may be done 

 by first taking the section blade of a mower and scrape the 

 horn thoroughly smooth. A piece of glass may be used to 

 finish smoothing the same. For a final finish use sand paper 

 of the different grades from coarse to fine, then use emery 

 paper. Then take a piece of soft cloth, dip the same into 

 sweet oil and rub the horns. After this use the same cloth 

 to apply some whitening which, when rubbed well, will leave 

 a beautifully polished and handsomely formed horn. A piece 

 of oily flannel should be used to give the last touch. The 

 hoofs should be cleaned in the same way. Before entering 

 the show ring, rub both the horns and the hoofs with an oily 

 piece of flannel. 



Showing in the Ring. Before leaving home you should 

 have all of your animals taught to lead well and to stand well 

 and for any length of time. The nearer the animal is made 

 to stand in its natural state the better he will usually show. 

 Do not twist your cattle around in the show ring into every 

 conceivable shape. Many people think that to show an animal 

 its head should be high in the air. This is oftentimes a 

 serious mistake, for usually when the head is high the back 

 is low. Some animals have to be shown with their heads low 

 to show a strong back. The best showmen are those who 

 keep their eyes on the animal and the judge. It is best to 

 stand on the same side of the animal as the judge, for then 

 you can see exactly how the animal appears before him. 

 Some men try to deceive the judge by hiding some fault in 

 the animal. As a general rule when you hide one fault you 

 add a couple more in some other part of the animal. 



