[Jacob-list] Horn growth and patterns?

[Carl Fosbrink]

  Joy,

     I do not show my Jacobs. I realize many do these days. It does get the breed out there for people to see, but I would encourage those who show to be careful and not let judges mislead you as to what is most important when breeding Jacobs. Jacobs at shows often do not have a judge that knows the breed and Jacobs are neither a meat breed nor a fleece breed, but often end up being judged for their fleece and are expected to have a long, soft, crimpy fleece. This may lead some breeders to breed with fleece as their main priority when our main priority should be preserving the American Jacob with it's primitive characteristics. Jacobs should have a deer-like conformation, a V shaped head, small scrotums or udders, be very hardy, good mothers, be able to do well on mostly a grass or hay diet and mostly not need help with lambing. They should not be treated like the modern breeds or they will lose their hardy characteristics. Try to make sure your judge is familiar with Jacobs before the judging. Maybe give him a copy of the Jacob Standard if he admits he is not familiar with the breed. It would be great if there were enough Jacobs there to have their own show against other Jacobs.
        As to the question about trimmed horns in a show. As I said I do not show my Jacobs, but I do not breed with a ram that's horns have had to be trimmed. As a past inspector I personally would have failed a Jacob that's horns had to be trimmed in order to keep them from growing into the face because the Standard says it is unacceptable for a Jacob to have lateral horns that grow into the face. Using a ram that's horns had to be trimmed to keep them from growing into the face is breeding that trait into his offspring and is not something that I would do. I also feel that it would be something that would or should cause a good judge to disqualify a Jacob in the show ring.

Carl
From: im rapunzil 
Sent: Thursday, July 12, 2012 6:55 AM
To: Jacob List 
Subject: Re: [Jacob-list] Horn growth and patterns?


Am I correct to assume that a Jacob with trimmed horns cannot / should not be shown?



A bright future is based on a forgotten past. One can't go on well in life until you let go of past failures and heartaches.

  


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From: fourhornfarm at frontier.com
To: jspidle1 at yahoo.com; jacob-list at jacobsheep.com
Date: Wed, 11 Jul 2012 15:45:37 -0400
Subject: Re: [Jacob-list] Horn growth and patterns?


  Joy,

      The Standard says symmetrical horns and horns not growing toward the face. I breed for symmetrical horns which the dictionary defines as even and pleasing to the eye. I also breed for many other things like deer-like conformation and nice spotting pattern as well as hardiness and good mothering, longevity, nice fleece, etc.
       It is hard to know how the horns will end up because they can change direction of growth up to two years of age. Usually you have a good idea by one year of age, but I have seen horns change even after one and up to two. For this reason I only use rams at least two years old for breeding as I want to use rams with good horns and not perpetuate bad horns. 
       Just a few years after I got into Jacobs Mary Spahr, who bred Jacobs for many years and was an inspector,  told me to use only rams at least two years old for breeding so I knew what type of horns I was passing on to future generations. I have found she was right. I purchased some ewes from Mary and this year two of those 13 yr. old ewes both had nice sets of twins and they are doing well. 

Carl


From: joy 
Sent: Wednesday, July 11, 2012 1:57 PM
To: jacobs 
Subject: [Jacob-list] Horn growth and patterns?


Question.... is there any way to determine how the horns grow? Curly, straight up, twisted etc.......
In breeding programs do you also breed for good horn growth and choose not to breed those with crazy growth patern???

Thanks,
joy 
soutgh central virginia

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