hello Noggie,
I haven't got my own sheep yet, but have worked with them before ,and I also suffer from a bad back . I am not sure how my back will cope with shifting heavy sheep about while bent double , but time will tell !!!!lol. As to a sheep cradle, I have a book that has many plans/instructions ,on how to make all sorts of useful items for smallholders,such as :sheep hay rack, sh.mineral block holder,trad sheep trough 6'sheep hurdle,and many more things, including a sheep cradle . All items are very easy to make out of wood ,and only basic woodwork skills are needed. The book is called, The Smallholder's D.I.Y., by Michael Roberts. It is available from :
www.goldcockerelbooks.co.ukIt costs £8.00 , but I got mine from Amazon for 99p ,so checking there first maybe the best bet ?.
I hope the information is of use to you ,and that your back holds out ok ...
cheers
Russ