[Jacob-list] loupy

[Betty Berlenbach]

You said it a lot better than I did, Lasell, thanks!
----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Lasell J. Bartlett" <lasell at lasell.org>
To: <Jacob-list at jacobsheep.com>
Sent: Monday, November 23, 2009 7:45 AM
Subject: Re: [Jacob-list] loupy



> 

> On Nov 23, 2009, at 7:25 AM, Linda wrote:

> 

>> In a wild flock, is the ram that kills or disables the other rams  

>> the most primitive? I don't know the answer to that - interested in  

>> hearing opinions.

>> The thing about Jacobs, imho, is that they are adaptable and that  

>> means that they are suitable for different management techniques  

>> and husbandry practices.

>> I love the individual personalities of my flock and that does  

>> include the ones that are "dumb" enough to be halter broken as well  

>> as the ones that are too "loupy".

> 

> 

> I think of it in terms of survival instinct. Some ewes and rams have  

> a stronger survival instinct. Could be the same as the "primitive"  

> quality being discussed.

> 

> And perhaps, if the request to be led by halter or to be confined is  

> coupled with some amount of trust and understanding rather than  

> forced upon the sheep, the sheep is smart enough to learn as long as  

> survival instinct is not triggered. I think when the survival  

> instinct is triggered, it's the same chemicals and reactions that all  

> mammals have, that of cortisol coursing through the bloodstream, and  

> when it gets to that, the thinking brain is simply not available.

> 

> I have brought what I've learned from handling horses to our sheep.  

> My husband was reluctant to follow my suggestions for awhile but now  

> that he sees time and time again that when we behave in ways that are  

> clearly directing the sheep, helping them stay in a learning frame of  

> mind (curious, relatively quiet, etc.) and keep ourselves calm and  

> patient, the sheep can quite easily figure out what we want from  

> them. Taking the time it takes for the sheep to understand what is  

> wanted seems to take longer, but in fact is the short cut. No hurry,  

> no fuss, calm sheep doing what we want them to do.

> 

> So I like smart sheep, too, and I see no contradiction between smart  

> sheep and sheep that can learn to be handled and led. *Not* the same  

> as 'OK with being forced'.

> 

> My two cents. <g>

> 

> Lasell J Bartlett MSW

> Fine Fettle Farm Jacobs, in VT

> 

> "It's our nature to get along."

> 

> 

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