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41 



CATCHING AND THROWING SHEEP. 



The best way to catch sheep is to have them bunched close together in a small 

 pen or corral. This should be built in a corner of the pasture, so that if a sheep 

 is seen to be lame or ill or fly-blown it can be examined at once. When sheep are 

 bunched close together the person may be right among them and they cannot rush 

 about and hurt themselves. Sheep should not be clutched violently by any part of 

 the wool that can be reached. Catching them in this manner injures the skin and 

 hurts the sheep. 



The proper place to catch hold of a sheep is just above the left hock. Use the 

 right hand, and then with the left grasp the wool of the lower jaw. The sheep can 

 be led forward by moving the right hand up to the tail. 



To throw a sheep it should be held under the jaw w r ith one hand while the 

 other grasps one of the hind legs and pulls it forward. At the same time the sheep 

 is pushed backward on to its haunches, and then held with the front end raised and 

 its back against the person's legs. 



To lift a sheep bodily, the best way is to have another person to grasp both 

 hands under the sheep's belly. 



....... 



Catching, throwing, and leading a 



TRIMMING THE FEET. 



This should be done once or twice a year at least, if the flock is not on rocky 

 ground. The outside of the hoof grows lonir. then curls over, rausins* dirt to lodge, 

 and then lameness soon follows. The overgrown horn must be trimmed down with 

 a sharp knife level with the sole. This operation will also shorten the toe, and bring 

 the foot to its proper shape. Care must be taken not to shave off too much, or you 

 will cut into the quick and cause bleeding. If this is done the foot should be dressed 

 with pine tar before the sheep is allowed to go. 



