[nimbusllama]

I am hankering after one of these, but need to check if they are suitable for horned sheep (Castlemilk Moorits) ?


Many thanks

[Foobar]

Yes i have one and I have used it for horned sheep.  Can't say I use it very often ... I think i've got it out of the cupboard just once or twice!!

[Dogwalker]

I've seen them used with angora goats with no problems.

[beagh-suffolks]

i made mine and we use it on variety of different breeds (anything from blackies to suffolks) ...i use mine all the time

[Womble]

That sounds great BS - any chance of some photos? 

[beagh-suffolks]

we made a small platform for ours too, just to save the back and ,teaches our show lambs to stand better, the headstock we have made a quick release system in case something happens.

[nimbusllama]

Very many thanks for all the helpful advice.... and your version looks fabulous BS... I will be on the look out for one! 

[Bionic]

we made a small platform for ours too, just to save the back and ,teaches our show lambs to stand better, the headstock we have made a quick release system in case something happens.

Very good, it even enables them to stand on their heads 

[Womble]

Thanks for the pics! 
 
I think I need to make up something similar for our big Zwartble tup, Ace.  He's a gentle boy, but hates having his feet done, and there's no way I can tip him.
 
The last time, I got Mrs Womble (lovely, slim, size 8, blow away in a wind Mrs Womble) to restrain Ace by hugging him around his neck whilst also holding onto a gate, whilst I nipped round the back to check him over.

Unfortunately, I'd left a scoop of coarse mix on top of a strainer post for afterwards, and just as I was finishing the first foot, it blew off the post, scattering tasty nibbles all over the place.
 
Needless to say, I was kicked in the balls whilst Mrs Womble was dragged off up the field, still hugging Ace. We still have no idea what his other three feet are like  .
 
 
 
Edit: What about one of these as an alternative option?:
 

 
They're on sale for £225+VAT from Fane Valley (By the way, I know that's not a sheep).

[nimbusllama]

I have just ordered one of these for the bargain price of £62.49 as Ascott have got these on sale. 


http://www.ascott-dairy.co.uk/shepherds-mate-portable-head-gate/

[daveh]

A cheap alternative is to use either a loop of rope or an old fan belt. Attach this to any railed enclosure or a post and pop the sheep's head through. I use this method to restrain both my Castlemilk Moorits (very flexible active sheep) and my Cotswolds (huge, heavy and very strong sheep).

Regards, Dave

[harmony]

I use an old stirrup leather which of course has holes already punched through.

[Bionic]

We use bailer plaited bailer twine made into a loop

[ScotsGirl]

Can one of you who uses alternatives (ie stirrup leathers or rope) post a photo also? I can't quite visualise how it's attached? Me t question is how to get the big brute in position to attach?! This would be idea, for my billy goat but he digs his heels in and I can't budge him.

[harmony]

I catch my sheep, fasten the stirrup leather around it's neck. Move it to where I won't to secure it. Hold against gate. Unfasten leather slip round cross bar on gate so gate and sheep within the loop and tighten up.


Could you feed "your brute" by a gate then you haven't so far to go to get him secure?


I haven't done this but I guess you can hang a haynet on the gate as well to keep them occupied whilst you do feet etc.


Thinking about a sheep crush my friend made - the sheep or goat once in the frame is held by two upright metal bars that it's head goes through and it fastens on the neck - like some goat milking stands. The bars are on a pivot, have chains at the top which fasten over the ends of the frame at the front so you can accommodate different sizes. You could do this on a post and rail fence or adapt a gate. You just need a hole to put the head through and the two bars and something to fasten to.


The bars when open make a V and when closed to hold the sheep close together. They are on separate pivots slightly apart.


We borrowed it when we needed a ewe to take a lamb and it sits on the ground and the sheep stands on a board so it can't move the frame. For doing other jobs like feet you don't need the frame just the head holding idea.


Hope that made sense!?!?