[Jacob-list] halter training

[Robin Lynde]

The first lesson is getting used to the halter and being tied. I like to use a web halter instead of the rope ones because the rope tightens when the lamb pulls back and stays tight. That doesn't happen with a halter made of nylon webbing. I tie the lamb to a fence with the tie at about the height of the lamb's head. I don't make the rope very long because I don't want the lamb to be able to thrash about and get tangled up or fall over. It will pull back, but that should be all it can do. I also stay near by because I don't want the rope getting tangled in the horns. That is Day 1--only about 10 minutes. Repeat that for Day 2.

The next step is to halter the lamb and walk around a small pen. You won't actually walk much because the lamb will still try to pull back and jump. I think that the key is to know when to keep the rope taut and when to allow slack. With experience you can feel the lamb pull and know that if you keep the rope taut the lamb will fall over, but if you release the tension at the right moment and just the right amount the lamb will get it's legs under it and remain standing. That would be your goal. You don't want to be dragging the lamb around. You want the lamb to learn that:
1. it can't get away from the halter
2. if it gives to the pressure of the halter it won't fall over and the halter won't be so tight on its head.

I usually take a week or two to work with my lambs before the fair. I try to find time to halter them each day--keep them tied while I'm doing chores and then take each one around a pen a time or two. I won't say that they all become well halter-broke, but after the first couple of days at least they aren't in a panic over it.

I also have a relatively calm flock and I think that makes a difference. Not all my sheep are pets by any means or even willing to be handled, but if all 65+ are lying down and I walk into the barn at night, they don't get up. They are used to being handled in a calm manner and not chased around a pen. If you have to catch the lambs by chasing them for 10 minutes then they are not going to be able to understand a halter breaking lesson. The key is to have fences and panels available to move them calmly into smaller spaces so that you can grab a lamb without it having the first lesson that "people chase me".

Robin Lynde
Meridian Jacobs
Vacaville, CA 
www.meridianjacobs.com 
  ----- Original Message ----- 
  From: Katherine Williamson 
  To: jacob-list at jacobsheep.com 
  Sent: Tuesday, November 17, 2009 9:09 AM
  Subject: [Jacob-list] halter training


  I have been asked to provide sheep for a live nativity.  I've done this in the past with a ram and a ewe (both on halters), but this year I think I'll take lambs.  I have about 3 weeks to halter break the lambs.

  I've never been very confident in my halter breaking techniques, which seem to involve a lot of jumping (the sheep), cursing (my husband), and fear (me).  I usually hold them to attach the halter, then tie them to a post and let them pull and flail until they're worn out.  Or my husband and kids will pull and prod and attempt to walk them around the backyard.  I'm so afraid that someone is going to get hurt.  

  Would you share your halter breaking techniques with me?  

  Thanks!

  Kathey



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