CHAPTER II. 



JUDGING CATTLE. 



109. Method of Examination, In judging cattle in the 

 show ring the most satisfactory plan is to make a verj^ care- 

 ful scrutiny of the animal as it stands before you; then ap- 

 proaching it from the front, notice the head and neck before 

 placing the hands upon the shoulder to review the various 

 parts of the body. 



I. JUDGING BEEF CATTLE. 



110. Method of Handling. In judging beef cattle it is of 

 much importance to see that they stand properly and are not 

 held so as to hide any natural defects which otherwise would 

 be easily seen. They should stand on a surface as level as 

 possible with the legs naturally placed under them, with the 

 head held straight forward. By variations from this it is 

 quite possible to hide from the examiner as he makes his 

 first inspection many of the natural defects. It becomes 

 very easy to vastly improve the handling qualities of an 

 animal by turning the head towards the judge or to make 

 the top or lower lines more level by choosing an advantage- 

 ous position. In moving towards the animal from in front, 

 note the characteristics of the head and neck quickly and 

 then placing the hand upon the shoulder and using the tips 

 of the fingers feel the compactness of the shoulder, its cover- 

 ing and the smoothness with which it fits to the body. From 

 this point it is usual to pass to the back, handling this region 



