102 Sheep Management, Breeds and Judging. 



long wool breeds, which have the coarser fleeces. 

 However, any breed of sheep ought to have its 

 feet trimmed at least twice a year, in spring and 

 fall. Fine wool breeds, as mentioned before, 

 should be given attention in this respect oftener 

 than twice a year. When sheep are neglected with 

 regard to this matter the outside horny part of the 

 hoof grows over the sole. A hollow space is thus 

 left between hoof and sole in which dirt collects, 

 and this finally begins to make the foot sore, with 

 the result that foot rot sets in. 



PLATE 35. Pruning knife, or clippers, used in removing the largest 

 portions of the surplus hoof. 



As has been mentioned, the second danger is in 

 crooked and broken-down pasterns. Many good 

 sheep have been disregarded in the show ring on 

 account of crooked feet and broken-down pas- 

 terns, due to neglect of the shepherd in not trim- 

 ming their feet at the proper time. Foot trim- 

 ming is a phase of sheep husbandry that requires 

 the flockmaster's attention just the same as feed- 

 ing and shearing. 



