[Jacob-list] foot stomping

[gotothewhip at aol.com]

All breeding animals are ESPECIALLY unpredictable during this time of year.... Our rams are not coddled or babied.. They too get an occasional scratch from me on the other side of the fence, but I too carry a rididng crop and keep a close eye on them at all times.

A great example of the effect of breeding season and testosterone is my Elk Bull "Theo"  We have 2 Domestic Elk ranches... Theo is our 8yo breeding bull.  He was bottle raised.  He is WONDERFUL and trustworthy 9 months of the year.  But for 3 months (and a few weeks before and after as a buffer) he is untouched.  He goes from being a cupcake to a jerk.. and a deadly Jerk.  Now.. Would I undo all of the socialization that was done (prior owner) to him that caused him to be unafraid.. NO WAY.. he is pretty remarkable to be around, and it is a special treat to have a bull that is so nice.. But I am also Hyper aware of what he can do.  We cut his antlers each July .. For saftey of all involved, and this time of year, we do not go to the ranch by ourselves (always 2-3 people) and we ALWAYS have a gun.  and NOBODY will go into the pasture with Theo until December and the rut is over.

We carry a gun as we realise that if he gets out or takes down a fence, he will have to be shot.  That is a consequence of his freindliness.  Our other bulls are not tame at all, and a big stick is all that is needed to change their thoughts...... But a stick whouldnt phase Theo.  

I guess it is a cost of ownership of a special animal.. a cost he would have to pay for our (humans) actions of taming an animal.

Here is Theo,.... PRE- Rut. and before we cut antler.

Jennifer Tucker
Moose Mtn Ranch
Bennett, CO






-----Original Message-----
From: Heather Hettick <hettick.1 at osu.edu>
To: jacob-list at jacobsheep.com
Sent: Wed, Oct 6, 2010 8:07 am
Subject: Re: [Jacob-list] foot stomping


I use my crook or a horse whip.  I like the whip because it makes noise and
s scary but I don't have to really hit them to get the point across.  I
ike it to back the sheep off me when I have food and it's light weight.
I haven't had a bad ram in a while but I have some that crowd me a bit and
his time of year they are a bit different anyway.  My super mellow Jacob
oy is two this year and he did actually push me a little with his head when
 had grain a couple weeks ago so I did my best to correct him and now I
ake sure I have something in my hand to protect myself just in case he
ries something again - which so far hasn't happened.  My dogs are both
retty afraid of sheep.  One is a basenji and small and the other is just a
imp.  He's a collie/lab mix who got attacked by some of my more
ossy/protective ewes when he was a pup but has no herding instinct to speak
f anyway.  They come with me on chores to keep me company, play and look
or poop to eat, although sometimes they catch vermin or alert me to things
ut of place so they aren't totally useless.
I don't think I would stomp at a ram unless I had something with me to back
e up.  
Heather Hettick
oonstruck Farm
reston, OH
ww.moonstruckfarm.wordpress.com

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