66 



SHEARING THE BELLY 



Figure 8 



Figure 8 Nearing Completion. The best part of the fleece 

 is now off watch that the sheep does not kick into it and tear 



it apart. In Figure 8 

 the sheep's breast and 

 shoulders rest up against 

 the shearer's legs. The 

 sheep's head is held in po- 

 sition by the shearer's left 

 elbow. In fact, the sheep's 

 head is largely controlled by 

 the shearer's left arm and 

 elbow. As you shear on 

 down in Figure 8 the sheep 

 inclines more and more un- 

 til his shoulders rest on the 

 shearer's feet. Then after 

 shearing past the position in 

 Figure 8, the left hand is 

 placed in the sheep's flank 

 by pressing lightly, the hind leg is extended and the sheep's 

 ham is brought up towards the shearer where he can easily finish 

 the shearing of it. 



Figure 9 Shearing the Belly. The fleece now being detached 

 can be taken to the tying bench by the tyer or the sheep's feet can 



be turned a little to the left 

 away from the wool as 

 shown in Figure 9. This is 

 a very easy position to as- 

 sume and after shearing 

 down over the brisket as 

 shown, the front legs are 

 lifted by passing the left 

 fore-arm under them. In 

 no other position can a 

 sheep's belly be shorn to as 

 good advantage, especially 

 if the sheep is poor or hol- 

 low from the lack of feed. 

 Shearing on down as you 

 come to the position in 



Figure 9 FigUTC 10. 



