366 



JUDGING SHEEP 



tion. Nothing should be passed over until a true visual 

 picture is obtained of the sheep as it would appear with the 

 wool removed. In order to accomplish this end most 

 satisfactorily some systematic method of examination should 

 be employed. 



Head and Neck. — ^The examination should begin at the 

 head, first determining the age as previously indicated. 

 The shape of the head, its length, width and wool covering 



Fig. 148. — Determining the fulness through the shoulders and chest. 



should be determined, and likewise the expression, size and 

 brightness of the eyes and the set of the ears. While very 

 few breeds of domesticated sheep possess horns, it is well 

 to determine whether there is any indication of them appear- 

 ing. In pure polled breeds of sheep this is of special sig- 

 nificance, as the appearance of horns, abortive or otherwise, 

 would likely indicate impurity in breeding. After completing 

 the examination of the head, the hands should be passed 

 along the neck to determine the form and condition of 

 this part. The blend of the neck into the shoulder should 



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