86 JUDGING SHEEP 



already has of the animal. If he really has his mind on just what 

 he is doing there is no possible excuse for anything but a correct 

 touch (Fig. 44). 



After looking the sheep over as is suggested here, the logical 

 place to begin handling is at the rear, and a right-handed judge 

 should stand on the left side of the sheep. 



(1) The Rear, Including Thighs, Twist, Dock, and Rump. 

 The first thing to investigate with the hands is the development of 



FIG. 45. Left hand on back of thigh, right hand at rear flank to measure the 

 lower thighs. 



the lower thighs. This is done by putting the left hand at the 

 back of the thigh and the right at the rear flank (Fig. 45). In this 

 way the amount of flesh on both the outer and inner thighs can be 

 ascertained. Next, the right hand should press upward on the 

 twist to estimate the amount and firmness of flesh at that point. 

 The development of the upper thighs is determined by placing the 

 hands flat on them and pressing the hands toward each other. In- 

 stead of doing this, many judges press one hand against the thigh 

 while resting the other on top of the rump (Fig. 46). 



