HANDLING THE SHEEP 89 



arching high and wide as they leave the spine, and special atten- 

 tion should be given to the degree of arch, or rather of width, just 

 back of the shoulders (Fig. 51) . There are two ways of ascertaining 

 this: First, place the fingers of the hand on one side of the spine 

 and the thumb on the other ; or, second, place one hand on either 

 side of the spine. The spring of the last rib should also be noted 

 carefully as the width of a properly shaped barrel or body increases 

 gradually from the shoulders back to the last ribs (Fig. 50). 



In addition to being long and arching well, the ribs should be 

 covered with firm flesh and fat, and the spaces between the ribs 



FIG. 49. A wide dock; a narrow dock. A wide dock indicates deep muscling along the 

 spine; a dock well cushioned over with fat indicates that the animal is in high condition. 



should be well filled and firm. These points can be determined by 

 rubbing the hands back and forth over the ribs. If they are 

 prominent to the touch and if the flesh and fat are soft, the covering 

 is poor in both extent and quality. In examining the ribs the 

 hands should also be placed over the fore flanks to proximate the 

 width of chest (Fig. 52). 



(3) The Front, Including Shoulders, Chest, Brisket, Neck, and 

 Head. By placing one hand on top of the shoulders it is possible to 

 learn how compactly the shoulder blades are set up against the 

 spine and how well these parts are covered with flesh (Figs. 53 and 

 54). Next, the hands should be placed first on the sides of the 

 shoulders to examine the depth of flesh, then they should be moved 



