A Baaaad Haircut
First, I would like to start with a disclaimer. Today’s article is in no way meant to be used for educational purposes. Its sole purpose is entertainment. I am in no way an expert on sheep and am in no position to give shearing advice to the public.
Shearing our sheep.
My son, Jake, owns one sheep. My dad gave it to him three Christmases ago. Jake is a seasoned mutton buster. If you don’t know what that is, then small children ride sheep at rodeos. They hold on to the neck or wool of the sheep for as long as they can while the sheep bolts across the rodeo arena. It is very fun to do and probably more fun to watch. I am not sure how much fun it is for the sheep. Jake wrote an article about his most recent mutton bustin’ experience and you can read it here.
Anyway Jake’s sheep had gotten pretty woolly which kept it nice and warm all winter long. As the days grew warm, the nights were still cool until fairly recently. When the daytime temperatures started reaching in the low 90s, we knew that we could not avoid shearing day any longer.
It is not a fun thing to do. Last year, my husband’s hand got kicked several times and was sore for days. My two oldest sons both got kicked as well. Nobody was looking forward to shearing her, except maybe for Jake because he lives fearlessly.
You can read all the books and articles written out there, believe me I have read extensively on the topic, and when it comes down to it, you still don’t not know what to do when the sheep is staring at you. Having now sheared her twice in my life, I have incredible respect for ranchers who did this for hundreds (thousands?) or years by hand without electric clippers. They would shear the entire herd one after the other. Amazing!
Trying to finish up her one side.
Our objective was to get her wool off. That is it. Last year I managed to get it off in one piece like you are supposed to, but she was fighting us so much I could not trim around her buttocks and between her legs very well. Therefore her appearance was marred by the dung locks all year. Yes, that is a real word and I am sure with a little imagination you can figure out what they are.
So this year my husband insisted we were going to get her done completely. He started shearing her wool at her neck which is fine. Before I could say anything he cut a strip down her back.
Jake's turn on the other side.
“What are you doing?” I asked.
“What?” he asked. “I think it is easier to cut two sides instead of one.”
“Oh. Well, you are supposed to cut the wool into one piece, from side to side. Now the shearing police are going to come and get you.”
With that, he handed me the clippers. Laughing, I got to work clipping her wool along the contours of her body. I had to remind Jake that the wool was still attached to her body, and it hurts when people pull your hair. He was wanting to lift it away as I cut.
The finished product. I think she looks great!
The sheep did great standing relatively still until we got to the uncomfortable places like around her butt, udder, and legs. I can’t say that I blame her even though I was very careful. Jake was dying to help shear so I talked him through it. He did a great job. Maybe next year, he can do most of the shearing.
Nobody got hurt this year including the sheep. I think she is rather grateful that her wool is gone. When I have the time, I intend to make Jake a quilt using her wool as the batting. It will take a lot of work on my part washing the wool, carding the wool, and finally sewing, but it will be a quilt he will treasure forever. I am sure that expert shearers will see all my mistakes and think I did a bad job, but I am quite proud of the job I did. Her wool is off and that is all that matters.
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