96 JUDGING SHEEP 



fident that the ram is not a breeder, in which case he should not 

 be awarded a prize. In judging ewes, it is well to examine the 

 udder. If it is hard or otherwise defective some discrimination 

 should be made. There are also such defects as large, lumpy 

 growths under the throat, which because the wool is trimmed 

 closely or because it hangs over them in large mases as in the long- 

 wool breeds, may not be discovered except by handling. Wrinkles 

 under the throat in breeds not supposed to have them are often so 

 well concealed by close trimming that they can be discerned only 

 by touch. 



Soft, blubbery fat, due to " overdone " condition, often escapes 

 the notice of beginners in judging. There are two places on the 

 body where this fat is present in largest quantity; namely, on the 

 fore ribs and on the rump. A good way to get an estimate of this 

 soft, blubbery fat is to place one hand near the top of the animal 

 and the other lower down and push them toward each other. In 

 the United States and Canada it is not customary to award a prize 

 to sheep in badly "overdone" condition (Fig. 58). 



The judge should always know the sex of the animal he is 

 examining. 



Faults of Beginners. Beginners especially possess the fault of 

 viewing too little and handling too much. Before getting a good 

 impression of the animal they pounce upon it and begin to handle. 

 Defects easily discovered by viewing may be entirely overlooked. It 

 is hard for the beginner to understand why viewing before handling 

 is of importance, because many experienced judges appear to lay all 

 of the emphasis on handling, but the old judge sizes the animal up 

 quickly and he is soon ready to see whether handling will confirm 

 his impression of it. 



QUESTIONS 



1. From what view can you best determine whether a sheep has strong 



or weak pasterns? Sickled hocks? Sprawling toes? 



2. From viewing how would you determine whether a sheep has a narrow 



chest? 



3. Describe the difference in feel between a bare and a well-covered back. 



4. Determine the difference in width between a wide and a narrow sheep. 



5. Handle a sheep carefully along the top and determine whether the wool 



is uniform in length at all points. 



6. Handle two sheep over the ribs and describe the difference you note. 



7. Write up a comparative study of the heads of two sheep, noting differ- 



ences in ears, eyes, profile of face, nostrils, mouth, width between 

 ears, and between eyes. 



