[Jacob-list] reading the clues

[Linda]

I think you can usually tell what an animal is going to do or where it's going if you are observant and have some basic 
idea of the species.  I get into trouble when I try to control Dave like a herding dog.  He doesn't have either the 
instinct or the obedience (big grin) that is needed to herd sheep.  
The most effective reaction to an aggressive dog is not the most effective reaction to an aggressive ram.  Our much 
abused Pit Bull cross (not abused by us!) can't come with me to feed the sheep because when they challenge her she 
rolls over on her back to show that she is submitting.  Well, they think that she is holding her ground and continue to 
butt her until I come and rescue her.  The backing up that you might do when confronted with an unknown, threatening 
dog might be interpreted by your ram as getting ready to charge.
Susan's post brought to mind a couple of years ago when I had told some neighbor kids that they could visit the sheep.  
You can imagine how I felt when I saw two 6 year old girls climbing over our fence in with the rams!  I didn't exactly 
mean that. Since then, I have not had rams in any perimeter paddock. And watching 3 year old Levi being "flogged" by 
the rooster after his daddy and I told him to leave the rooster alone was certainly an education for Levi.  I do have 
to admit that Levi is 17 now and every time I see him, I can't help but laugh at the memory.  He sure did look funny 
and managed to survive being attacked by a Bantam rooster.  Levi's father was raised in a society where livestock was a 
vital part of providing food, so sure did add his own "flogging" memories.  
I enjoy my animals, including my rams.  

Linda



On Wed, 23 Jun 2004 22:51:08 -0400, Neal and Louise Grose wrote:
>Many people can no longer read cues from animals. I find myself trying to move
>sheep or cows with my family or some of the guys that work for us and somehow
>they wind up mad at me for "yelling" at them. I don't really holler at 'em:
>it's just that these people are not exactly where they need to be to keep the
>little beasts from bolting by us...or not keeping the animals grouped...or not
>keeping them moving so that the critters have a chance to out-think us...
>
>Neal
>
 From: "Susan J Martin" <stonecroft235 at juno.com>

>
>>Linda's story about the ram is just another reminder that we are dealing with
>>animals with their own minds, instincts, reactions, etc.  Another aspect of
>>all of this is that our country is not the agrarian society it once
>>was.......years ago many people lived in rural communities and many of them
>>were actively involved in agriculture.......and as a result people were
>>"tuned in" to animals.  Children grew up knowing that it's not a good idea to
>>walk through the meadow with the bull in it.........or it's not wise to tease
>>the rooster with the long spurs.....and that the geese are better left alone,
>>especially if they are nesting.    Children today, and even adults, have no
>>clue how to relate to animals.......their information is gleaned from
>>cartoons of animals who speak, have human characteristics/personalities and
>>thoughts and are always cute and cuddly except for the occasional villain.
>>Our meadows are close to a small, rural park........a place with swings, a
>>pavilion, and a volleyball court, and occasionally I will see children who
>>have walked through the woods to our property...........and they stand by the
>>fence looking at our sheep - on our property.  I try to keep an eye on
>>things..........but obviously I am not always there to be their guardian
>>angel..........and hopefully their parents have taught them that "big,
>>spotted lambies with big horns" are not cute, cuddly toys!!!
>>
>>Sue Martin Stonecroft