CHOOSING AND JUDGING SHEEP 361 



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. 



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 pull- 

 ing on the head or the wool, as either of these methods will 

 be quickly resisted, which will result in injury to the wool and 

 carcass. Gently place the right arm around back of the thighs, 

 and the sheep will stop the backward movement at once. Like- 

 wise do not attempt to keep the animal from going forward by 

 pulling on the wool, but place the left hand gently under 

 the jaw. 



HOW TO ESTIMATE AGE OF SHEEP 



The age of sheep is a very important factor in determining 

 their present and prospective value. Familiarity with the 

 characters that indicate age are, therefore, often extremely use- 

 ful. As in the case of the horse a knowledge of these characters 

 is not difficult to secure, and skill in their application depends 

 much on continued practice. 



In estimating the age of sheep the order of the appearance 

 of the permanent teeth furnishes the best index, especially from 

 one to four years of age. There are, however, other general 

 considerations that aid in estimating the age, especially, in the 

 case of young and very old animals. Size is the principal factor 

 in determining the age up to one year. In very old animals 

 the poll becomes more prominent, the sides of the face more 

 depressed, and the hollows above the eyes deeper. With 

 age the backbone becomes more prominent and often strongly 

 curved downward, the sheep loses its plumpness, and in many 

 ways shows the effects of ags. 



