[Jacob-list] De-horning and de-tails

[Jacobflock at aol.com]

In a message dated 4/28/2006 9:37:34 AM Central Standard Time, 
Paintedrockfarm at aol.com writes:

> A Jacob is not a Jacob sheep without the horns. 

If you allow me to posit "form" and "function", I will create the horns of 
another dilemna. Perhaps 95% of form and function are unseen but what of that 
small remainder that is seen?

The Jacob horn (polyceraty) is a specific breed chracterisitc.  Its form is 
basically black and growing in such a manner as to not impede its well being, a 
strcuture that is other than scurs (long and short), aberrant horn, and 
certainly, not polled.  The function of the horn (by virtue of sheath and core) is 
that of a supplemental temperature regulator and a ewe perceived mate asset, 
observed in the wild, a brain protection structure.  De-horning the Jacob 
removes form and function but does not, itself, make it a non-Jacob (genetically 
speaking).  

The breed characteristic of the form of the Jacob tail is medium to the hock 
(16 vertebrae), active and not wry. The function of the tail is to provide 
balance (counter weight) and poop-hole wiper.  De-tailing a Jacob removes form 
and function but does not, itself, make it a non-Jacob (genetically speaking).  
De-tails, de-tails.

The loss (by accident or our intervention) of a body form sometimes results 
in the loss or dimunition of body function.  The loss does not change its 
inherent genetic substance and the ability to consistenlty reproduce itself.  
Sometimes the loss or dimunition strenthens another form or function by 
transferance. What about de-ball spinners have with the protein laden fleece from 
wethers.  Is there a link betwen testosterone, horn protein and fleece protein? Some 
of the considerations for de-horning can be found in de-tails.  

Fred Horak

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