It's not the price of hand shears, I was thinking more electric sheep shears. The length of time I have to restrain and stress a strong wether to do the job with hand shears and avoid stabbing him by accident if he goes nuts. Ditto scissors.
They are very suspicious and flighty animals, and wary of anyone standing near them or touching them. I can touch and rub their faces, heads, necks and chests no worries, and they let me lift their tails, but no more. I reckon I've only got one crack at this, and then I'll never get him near the hurdles again.