370 



JUDGING FARM ANIMALS 









are used to handling. Sheep of some breeds also, especially 

 of the mountain sorts, naturally resist handling more than 

 do the larger, more phlegmatic lowland breeds. It may 

 also be noted here that some men are naturally much better 

 adapted to hold and handle sheep than are others. With them 

 the sheep seem quiet and unfrightened. It is through 



gentleness and 

 quiet manners that 

 such men succeed 

 so well. The writer 

 has been interested 

 to note that, in both 

 Europe and Amer- 

 ica, shepherds of 

 experience are most 

 quiet and gentle 

 in dealing with 

 their sheep, and 

 have little difficul- 

 ty in doing with 

 them as they wish. 

 Persons holding 

 sheep for examina- 

 tion, should make 

 themselves as in- 

 conspicuous as possible. For that reason, if the time occu- 

 pied is not too great, it is desirable for the person holding 

 the sheep to kneel on one knee, so as to come down more on 

 a level with the animal he is showing, and with the purpose 

 of letting the judge see as much of the sheep and as little 

 of the man as possible. 



The use of the hands in judging a sheep is made neces- 

 sary in a very special way. The body of the animal is cov- 

 ered with wool, perhaps four inches thick in places. It is 

 important, not only that the wool be examined, but also 

 that the conformation below the layer of wool be deter- 

 mined. This latter can be ascertained only by the aid of 



Fig. 201. "One may simply hold the sheep at 

 the head, placing the left hand under the jaw 

 and the right hand on the back of the head." 



