HANDLING ANIMALS 49 



Handling Animals.— The handling of animals is involved 

 in determining conditions which cannot be readily perceived 

 by the aid of the eye. In the several types of animals there 

 are various parts which must be handled more or less carefully 

 to determine the condition of the structural parts. 



Amount of Handling.— It is always preferable in judging a 

 class of animals to handle them as little as possible. While 

 it will be necessary for the beginner to occasionally reinforce 

 his opinion obtained with the eye, it is preferable not to 

 handle an animal any more than is absolutely necessary. 

 It is very easy to get in the habit of allowing the hands to 

 do that which should be determined by the eye. This not 

 only involves risk but prolongs the examination and decision. 

 The best judges of live stock, by constant practice, have 

 developed the capacity of comprehending or determining 

 what lies under the skin of the animals largely by the aid of 

 the eye alone. While it is necessary for the best judges to 

 use the hands at times, and especially where the decision is 

 close, it is not good general practice. The beginner should 

 always use precaution to see that he does not form the habit 

 of relying on the hands, except in a case where a close 

 decision justifies the practice. 



Determining Handling Quality. — Quality can often be 

 determined or measured largely by the eye alone. It is 

 permissible, however, to use the hands to a limited degree to 

 determine the handling quality of the skin, its fineness, 

 pliability, and elasticity. The condition of the hair and 

 skin may be determined by the hands, although this is not 

 always necessary. 



Mammary Development. — In judging dairy cattle the 

 development of the mammary system is of special significance 

 because of its direct relation to the value of these animals. 

 The . hands may be used to determine the pliability and 

 elasticity of the skin on the udder, the length, size, and shape 

 of the mammary veins, the number of branches, and the size 

 of the mammary wells. Other than this the eye should be 

 used to determine the relative merits of the mammary system. 

 Determination of Unsoundness. — Unsoundness is of pri- 

 mary importance in the horse. Any unsound condition 

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