Author Topic: Which breed to choose? (Read 18425 times)

lachlanandmarcus · « **Reply #45 on:** January 31, 2012, 08:10:37 am »

Quote from: Small Farmer on January 30, 2012, 11:13:31 pm

I thought you weren't supposed to handle sheep by the horns? Or am I wrong about that?

Ours don't have horns so it's never been an issue.

Agree, you wouldnt want to catch or restrain a sheep by its horns, but when holding it in place I think it's fine to hold the animals body with one hand and the horn in the other, just holding not restraining with the horn ie as a secondary point of contact. More to stop eg our ram shaking his head and horns and whacking you while you do his feet or whatever needs doing.

But catching it by the horn alone, no, that wouldnt be ok as it might break.

SallyintNorth · « **Reply #46 on:** January 31, 2012, 12:18:38 pm »

Quote from: lachlanandmarcus on January 31, 2012, 08:10:37 am

Quote from: Small Farmer on January 30, 2012, 11:13:31 pm
I thought you weren't supposed to handle sheep by the horns? Or am I wrong about that?

Ours don't have horns so it's never been an issue.
Agree, you wouldnt want to catch or restrain a sheep by its horns, but when holding it in place I think it's fine to hold the animals body with one hand and the horn in the other, just holding not restraining with the horn ie as a secondary point of contact. More to stop eg our ram shaking his head and horns and whacking you while you do his feet or whatever needs doing.

But catching it by the horn alone, no, that wouldnt be ok as it might break.

And definitely definitely not dragging it along by its horns, as I have seen done.

Show horned tups are often 'led' around the ring by their horns - but they're trained, the handler is just using the tip of the horn to control the direction.

Brijjy · « **Reply #47 on:** January 31, 2012, 12:55:51 pm »

I never hold the horns on any sheep under a year old as they are definitely more liable to break. However I do use the horns as a steadying device when injecting or drenching. However my wilts are alot more amenable than my dads Beltex!

darkbrowneggs · « **Reply #48 on:** January 31, 2012, 01:08:15 pm »

I twice had a problem with the BWM rams being handled by the horns.

First time just after shearing one of the young rams died. He looked sad after shearing and around 3 days later was dead. I reckoned they damaged his neck.

Second time someone was "helping" me with the sheep - grabbed a young ram by the horn, and the horn sheath just came off in his hand. Bled like mad, but put on some purple spray and it was OK but never grew back properly, so I would say, don't handle by horns.