The Accidental Smallholder Forum

Livestock => Sheep => Topic started by: SallyintNorth on June 25, 2020, 05:59:14 pm

Title: Headstock ?
Post by: SallyintNorth on June 25, 2020, 05:59:14 pm
Anyone use a headstock to steady a sheep for treatment, dagging, clipping etc?

I've been hand clipping our hoggs, and some of them stand (in a small pen) with no restraint at all, which is lovely, but the two today both had to be haltered and both hated it.  I've a friend who uses a headstock for hers, anyone else use one, or any other solutions?

(My back is not up to the conventional method of restraining and bending over them, I can't always even manage to do their bellies these days :'(  But if they stand for clipping, then I am usually still fit enough to manage to turn them over and clip the bits of the belly I couldn't reach from the side.)
Title: Re: Headstock ?
Post by: Buttermilk on June 25, 2020, 06:51:32 pm
I use one.  Far easier than taking halters on and off and they do not seem to fight it the same.  I use a folded towel over it so the sheeps head does not drop down between the forward pointing arms.
Title: Re: Headstock ?
Post by: Appletree on June 25, 2020, 06:52:25 pm
We use a lifting trimming stand (the sort with a winch). Much kinder on the back and the sheep don’t seem to mind.