LECTURE LIII. 



PREPARATION AND FITTING OF SHEEP FOR 

 SHOW RING (Continued). 



In preparing sheep for exhibiting exercise should not be 

 neglected, because the health, bloom and nature of the flesh 

 the animal carries largely depends on this factor. They 

 should be allowed to run in a yard once or twice every day, 

 preferably in the morning and evening. In addition to run- 

 ning in a yard they should be taught to lead while young. 

 A halter made of light medium sized rope will suffice. While 

 breaking to lead, patience, gentleness and regularity should 

 be the watchword of the shepherd. 



The feet of sheep which are being fed heavily always need 

 more or less attention. The shepherd should make a prac- 

 tice of examining the feet of his show animals at regular 

 intervals, and if trimming is necessary it should be done with- 

 out the slightest delay. In trimming always use a strong, 

 sharp knife and pare the feet so that the sheep can stand 

 firm and level on them. Trimming feet is a simple operation, 

 but when neglected the feet often become foul. A foul foot 

 can usually be cured if it is taken in time with a little blue- 

 stone (blue vitriol) ; but if left to run its course or neglected 

 it brings on foot-rot, a disease which invariably bars its host 

 from public appearance. 



Some ewes when they become very fat are apt to scald 

 themselves with their urine. Unless ewes troubled in this 

 way are attended to immediately after the first indications 

 are noticed they will become unsightly specimens wholly 

 unfit for show yard purposes. This trouble can generally be 

 overcome by washing out the foul parts and rubbing or treat- 

 ing them with vaseline or lard. 



According to the rules of most shows sheep cannot be shorn 

 before the 1st of April. Just how close shepherds adhere to 

 these rules is a question that cannot be very satisfactorily 

 answered; however, it is a fact that many of the winners in 

 evidence at our shows every year seem to possess in a marked 



