CHAPTER XI 



THE JUDGING OF SHEEP 



The catching and holding of a sheep for inspection is 

 usually a simple matter if correctly done. To catch the 

 sheep, seize a hind leg at the hock or flank and gently pull 



him to the location desired. 

 Never grasp and pull the wool, 

 for the more the fleece is pull- 

 ed the harder the sheep will 

 struggle to escape. Next place 

 the left hand below the jaw, 

 palm up, and quietly hold 

 the head and throat, and then 

 reach back to the right hind 

 quarter with the right hand and 

 pull the sheep squarely in front 



Fig. 120. Examining the leg of n f nr .p'o Ipo-a flTir | P 1n<3A tn tViP 



mutton. Photograpk by the author. 



body. If it is desired to move 



the sheep forward, it will only be necessary to press gently 

 forward with the right hand. If that is not enough, then 

 place the finger tips at and beneath the root of the tail, and 

 the sheep will move forward without trouble. Sheep that 

 are accustomed to handling, as a rule, may easily be held by 

 placing the left hand under the lower jaw, and holding 

 the back of the head or neck with the right hand. In 

 judging-work at a school, a small rope halter will be found 

 useful in simplifying the matter of holding and the use of 

 attendants. 



To examine the under side of the sheep, it is desirable 

 sometimes to place the animal on its rump. To do this, one 



