THE CARE OF SHEBP 



385 



Trimming the feet of sheep is frequently necessary, 

 especially where the soil is soft and moist and free from 

 gravel. Sheep that run on level, rich pasture, or that are 

 kept more or less stabled, are troubled much .in that the 

 toes grow long or otherwise out of shape. The foot of the 

 sheep is cloven, and the hoof consists of a comparatively 

 thin upper shell and a soft under pad. With the small blade 

 of a big, strong pocket knife one may easily trim the hoofs 

 to a proper shape. If careful attention is given, it will re- 

 quire comparatively little labor to keep the feet in good 



Figure 171. — Students trimming hoofs of sheep at Ohio State University. 

 Photograph by the author. 



shape; but, if neglected, the hoofs may grow so out of shape 

 as to give the feet a very bad posture, quite difficult to cor- 

 rect. Some breeds, as the Merino, are bad in this respect. 

 The docking of sheep, that is cutting off the tail of the 

 young lamb, is a very important practice. It should be 

 removed ten days or so after birth. A very satisfactory 

 way is to cut the tail off with the large blade of a sharp 

 pocket knife. The lamb may be held between the legs of 

 the operator. With the left hand the tail is raised slightly 

 above horizontal, while at the same time with the right 

 hand the knife blade is laid against the bare underside about 



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