Sheep butting ponies

[Helicopter]

My sheep (Lamington) has just started butting the ponies and taking aim at me. The ponies don't seem to know what to do about it. I yell ''don't even think about it'' and she stops sizing me up but that doesn't help the ponies. She is almost 4 years old and has never done this before. Perhaps it is just a phase.

Any suggestions........ apart from a BBQ. I love my sheep but imagine if I get a good butt or she hurts a pony that love may wane.

 

[Molly's Run Minis]

does she have horns? how long have you had her? has anything been changed in her enviornment lately? are you she is actually a she?

the only thing i can think of that might work is a remote controled shock collar, like they used on dogs. not a real strong shock but enough to get her attention. give her a zap whenever you see her headbutting a horse.

 

[Sue_C.]

I think once it has started, there is no stopping it.

See the other post about goats...same thing...they can REALLY hurt your horses...and definitely hurt you as well.

 

[Riverrose28]

Put him or her in a private paddock away from the small horses, and when you go to feed him or her carry a 2 by 4 board. we had the same problem, had to hit the sheep on the head to get him from butting us. It hurts, sheep that butt can break a leg or hip, on you or your small horses. Better to be safe then sorry, better yet sell it.

 

[HGFarm]

Yep, I noted in the other post that the neighbors old sheep- who was so old it should have been dead, lol- was in with a pig and had been for a while. Sheep wigged out one day- butted the small pig so hard it knocked her off her feet and the sheep just kept attacking as if to kill the pig- I am not kidding. The pigs screams is what caught my attention and the sheep would just back up and jump, ramming the pig with all she could over and over. We finally got the sheep to stop and got the poor pig out of there. The sheep would have killed it for sure. She was going for the mid section where all the innards are. Yep, I would be getting rid of the sheep. Stew anyone?

 

[Helicopter]

does she have horns? how long have you had her? has anything been changed in her enviornment lately? are you she is actually a she?

the only thing i can think of that might work is a remote controled shock collar, like they used on dogs. not a real strong shock but enough to get her attention. give her a zap whenever you see her headbutting a horse.

No horns, Molly. I've had her since she was 4 days old and she's definitely a she. The only thing that has changed is her. I think perhaps she has decided to work her way up the pecking order.

If that is her aim she went straight to the top butting Lord Humphrey in the chest. Humphrey (gelding) is a real party boy, terrible tease and a benevolent leader but he had no idea what to do with a butting sheep. I told him to kick her in the head, gently, but he mustn't have heard me.

It's a worry because I do love my Lamington........................................however

 

[~Dan]

Hi Helicopter,

I am sorry to hear that you are having to go through this. It is hard when they are our pets and not just livestock or part of our business. I agree, if you are planning on keeping her around, put her in a private paddock made out of strong fencing (like cattle panels attached to wood posts with hot wire running along the inside) and perhaps get her another buddy to play her sheep games with. I have heard of at least one story where one man was attacked and killed by a ram, and he was a Shetland ram, so he was not a big Colombian or Tunis ram. Butting sheep (and goats) can be a real danger to their handlers and other animals around them. Best of luck, and keep us posted with how things are going for you!!

Dan.