CHAPTER XIII 
JUDGING SHEEP 
Tue wool-covering of the body of the sheep makes an examina- 
tion of the form rather difficult. The wool is often so trimmed as 
to deceive. An expert trimmer, possessing much skill with the 
shears, can give a rather inferior sheep the appearance of a plump 
full form; thus animals with sway backs, narrow, flat ribs, narrow, 
peaked rumps, are often so trimmed as to conceal such defects. 
Therefore, do not depend on the eye alone, but fortify it with the 
touch, carefully noting each character. During this examination, 
keep the fingers and thumb together and the hand flat. Never 
stick the fingers into the wool. When it is desired to examine 
the wool, open up the wool with the hand flat (Fig. 96). 
351. Catching sheep.— There are two proper ways to catch 
sheep: first, by the hind leg above the gambrel joint; second, by 
placing the hand underneath the jaw and around the neck. Do 
not catch a sheep by its wool, as this not only pulls and injures 
the wool, but leaves a black mark or bruise on the body which 
interferes very much with the sale of the carcass of mutton. If 
the shepherd’s crook is used in catching the sheep, the aim should 
be to catch above the gambrel joint, as there is danger of injuring 
the leg if caught below this joint. 
352. Holding sheep. — To hold a sheep, stand on the left side 
and place the left hand under the animal’s jaw, keeping the right 
hand free to place behind the sheep in case it attempts to move 
backward. Do not attempt to keep the sheep from moving 
backward by pulling on the head or the wool, as either of these’ 
methods will be quickly resisted, and will result in injury to the 
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