Author Topic: Moving 2 sheep across a road (Read 4970 times)

Womble · « **Reply #15 on:** March 30, 2017, 10:48:20 am »

One thing if you want to halter train them - get a decent halter!

We started off with the ones made from white rope, and found them to be worse than useless. I then made one out of polypropylene webbing, like a small horse head collar, and it's been absolutely brilliant.

It was really easy to make, too. Just a loop of webbing sized to fit around the nose, then joined to another incomplete loop which goes under the chin, up behind the ears and then fastens and tightens using a quick release buckle. It cost me about £2 and half an hour to make, and has given three years of service so far.

sadlerlou · « **Reply #16 on:** March 30, 2017, 03:50:45 pm »

I have to move mine up and down a quiet lane occasionally. I have bucket trained them (jacobs) so that i can move them up and down on my own. The most dominant ewe gets her head in the bucket and the rest follow

the older ewes then trained the ewe lambs for me about following the bucket! I also take a stick to keep them behind me as they like to power walk up to the nice new grass

I would suggest a halter as the others have said on this occasion just in case, good luck!

zwartbles · « **Reply #17 on:** March 31, 2017, 12:02:32 pm »

http://llugwy-farm.co.uk/

Very good, very helpful people.
We use the halters for showing and movement around the fields when needed.
Zwartbles seem born to be good!!!!!

Murg · « **Reply #18 on:** March 31, 2017, 02:42:08 pm »

I have six which i take across a road regularly, i was apprehensive at first but i just fill a bucket with feed and they follow me across.

Dans · « **Reply #19 on:** April 18, 2017, 12:44:07 am »

Well I tried with the halter and we didn't get more than a step away from the pen before it looked like a scene from a rodeo. Thankfully got her back in the pen in probably under a minute and we dragged (literally) the trailer around. They loaded easy as pie and we pushed the trailer across the road where they are happily munching on grass.

I want figure out this halter thing at some point but may be it would be better to try with younger sheep. Thank you all for your advice.

Dans

BenBhoy · « **Reply #20 on:** April 18, 2017, 08:46:47 am »

How many kgs? Can your hubby not just scoop up and carry in arms??

landroverroy · « **Reply #21 on:** April 18, 2017, 09:26:35 am »

Quote from: Dans on April 18, 2017, 12:44:07 am

Well I tried with the halter and we didn't get more than a step away from the pen before it looked like a scene from a rodeo. Thankfully got her back in the pen in probably under a minute and we dragged (literally) the trailer around. They loaded easy as pie and we pushed the trailer across the road where they are happily munching on grass.

I want figure out this halter thing at some point but may be it would be better to try with younger sheep. Thank you all for your advice.

Dans

Easiest way to halter train adult sheep is to put the halter on them and tie them to something substantial for a couple of hours, where you can keep an eye on them. You may need to do this for a couple of days (sometimes once is enough) but it teaches them that they cannot fight the halter and they should then lead quite quietly. It is important when first leading them to keep them on a very short rein so they can never get sufficient momentum going to actually pull you about. If you give them plenty of rope then they get the chance to build up speed and you end up with a rodeo - as I believe you have found out!

Foobar · « **Reply #22 on:** April 18, 2017, 02:47:06 pm »

Halter training is easy - take the horse whisperer approach: a firm pull (keeping the pressure on the rope) then wait until they move forward (even one step) - reward that forward movement by slacking the rope, and then repeat. Be patient and calm, and try to stay still so as not to frighten them. After just a few minutes you should see progress. Start at the end of the rope and as they improve you can get closer.

landroverroy · « **Reply #23 on:** April 18, 2017, 10:11:29 pm »

Difficult to tell, when a wild sheep is at the other end of a rope, when it is actually taking a step forward. More likely it's moving backwards, forwards, up, down and every which way in rapid succession. When it is in rodeo mode it won't even notice that you've given it some slack and certainly won't regard it as reward!

Foobar · « **Reply #24 on:** April 18, 2017, 10:54:33 pm »

Quote from: landroverroy on April 18, 2017, 10:11:29 pm

Difficult to tell, when a wild sheep is at the other end of a rope, when it is actually taking a step forward. More likely it's moving backwards, forwards, up, down and every which way in rapid succession. When it is in rodeo mode it won't even notice that you've given it some slack and certainly won't regard it as reward!

I've tamed plenty of bucking broncos this way