Fitting Sheep for the Show Ring. 195 



they got wet, although he himself was perhaps wet 

 to the skin on returning home. This, however, 

 made no difference to him for he rejoiced if he 

 succeeded in keeping his show sheep dry. This, 

 fellow sheepmen, is one of the numerous self- 

 sacrifices mentioned before. 



TRIMMING THE FEET OF SHOW SHEEP. 



It has been advised in this work that sheep 

 should have their feet trimmed and looked after 

 at least twice a year, in spring and fall, but sheep 

 being fitted for shows need to have their feet 

 trimmed much more frequently. These sheep are 

 more or less confined and do not wear down their 

 hoofs as much as sheep that are constantly out 

 of doors in the summer months. Furthermore, 

 from observation it seems that when a sheep is 

 fed well and is putting on flesh its hoofs grow in 

 proportion to the amount of flesh put on its body. 

 Therefore, to keep them straight on their feet the 

 wise shepherd examines them once every month 

 and removes all surplus hoof. 



REDUCING SHOW SHEEP AFTER FAIRS. 



When sheep have been once highly fitted and 

 shown they cannot be kept in that condition, but 

 have to be reduced in flesh. For instance, a win- 

 ning yearling will not be a winner the following 



