Should we get a lamb?!

SuperCoblet

SuperCoblet

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Basicly, gypsy lives in his own and we don't want to get a shetland or anything as they're too much hassle and gypsy gets easily attached to other ponies. We were thinking I getting a couple of lambs for him?
Are they expensive?
Do ponies get attached to them?
Opinions welcome on is I should get a couple, they're just too cute :D
 
for meat or pets? If for meat, are you prepared to put them on a trailer to send to the abbetoir? If for pets definately more than one, but are you prepared to trim feet, vaccinate, shear wool etc etc.... how are your fencing/hedges - sheep are genius at getting out....and genius at dying too!:D How much have you thought it through and how much are you prepared to do?
 
I heard that goats are easier then lambs but I have no experience in this area. I would have thought a shetland would be quite easy to look after as they practically (sp) look after themselves. You just need to get one with good manners :)
 
We keep sheep as pets, and to keep the land in better condition. The last three were brilliant, teamed up with the Old Cob mare, to the extent that when there was just one ewe left she lived in the stable with the old girl. They were Rylands, who are known as stay at home sheep :D They were also a ewe and two ewe lambs when they came here. The current three are three of last years 'pet' lambs from a farming friend. They are currently behaving like teenage girls! :eek:. They are a commerical texel cross and are not stay at home sheep! Fortunately the neighbours bring them back when they have gone adventuring.
They take some work and while we enjoy them they are a responsibility like anything else. Cuppa is right, they do seem to have an ambition to die on a daily basis.
I wouldn't have sheep as sole companions for horses, as their 'lifestyle' is different. No mutual grooming etc.
 
i would def get a goat over a lamb. goats are great pets. we used to have a good laugh with our one, plus id imagine they would make better company for a horse. we used to keep ours with a donkey and they were great pals. only thing is that they can be little buggers and eat everything
 
I have a sheep that I keep with my horse. He is a Herdwick/Dorset. Henry has been with me for 12 years and is getting very old, he has a shearling in training called Brian to take over his duties when his days are over. I do love sheep, Henry is tame and can be led about, Brian on the otherhand might need a chifeny!!
 
we had a very streesy tb at our yard who couldnt be left on his own, so his owner bought a goat who slept in the stable with him, although not turned out with him as there were other horses in the field. Seemed to work quite well.
 
Kokopelli said:
I heard that goats are easier then lambs but I have no experience in this area. I would have thought a shetland would be quite easy to look after as they practically (sp) look after themselves. You just need to get one with good manners :)
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Gawd no, lambs are a million times easier than goats! I have two myself, and love them to pieces. One is imprinted on me, I am his mummy! And the other one is so unphased by anything its unreal. Some horses don't like sheep, so you would have to bear that in mind. You would also have to get a license to keep them (it's free) and think about shearing. Other than that, there isn't really a hassle, I would say go for it. Getting older sock (hand reared) lambs would be your best bet as they are friendly.
 
shearing i reasonably fit buy a pair of hand shears and have a go might take time and not look neat but imagine hard to get some one todo two, I do half of our 500 flock self taught 10 years ago ,I am in mid 40s with longhorn mahine works of car battery, so have a go, have a word with loal sheep farmer he might lend you couple sheep to see what you think, by the way I havent vaccinated for several years.
 
i was thinking og getting a sheep and was advised not to as they can die quite easily also would have needed totally different fencing .we went with a minature pony and she is fantastic,
 
Sheep are hard work,need shearing,feet regularly need trimming.....worming is also expensive as dont sell in small amounts,only bulk.Fencing needs to be A1,then of course they do stupid things like dying for no reason!!!
Also,you will need to get a holding number from defra.Will need ear tagging....have to have electronic ones these days
Get another pony....alot easier
 
mon said:
shearing i reasonably fit buy a pair of hand shears and have a go might take time and not look neat but imagine hard to get some one todo two, I do half of our 500 flock self taught 10 years ago ,I am in mid 40s with longhorn mahine works of car battery, so have a go, have a word with loal sheep farmer he might lend you couple sheep to see what you think, by the way I havent vaccinated for several years.
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Not even against bluetongue? I hope you don't live anywhere near me:mad:
 
'they're too much hassle'
If you dont want one animal that you know how to look after and has reasonably similar needs to your horse, don't get one with totally different needs!
 
sorry not read all replies but when my daughter was 2 - shes 21 now - we found a lamb dying on moors behind us. against everything she livid and grew up with 2 ponies and 2 dogs and was brilliant playing with emma even when she ( i mean the sheep)grew to adult hood and was just part of family. she even learnt to follow daughter over small jumps
i would def have another if had own field :)
 
Blue tongue no one in our area vaccinaes for it and vac available was for different strain, big con in lots of peoples minds.
 
pastie2 said:
I have a sheep that I keep with my horse. He is a Herdwick/Dorset. Henry has been with me for 12 years and is getting very old, he has a shearling in training called Brian to take over his duties when his days are over. I do love sheep, Henry is tame and can be led about, Brian on the otherhand might need a chifeny!!
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Oh, Pastie, does Henry look nice? I'm just awaiting my first weird cross, I tupped some Herdwick ewes with a Polled Dorset ram and I'm wondering what is going to come out of it :)
BTW - I don't vaccinate either, not even for bluetong.

But, to the OP - please don't, lambs are not toys and grow out of being cute, they also need to be looked after properly by somebody who knows how to, and you need a holding number, a flock number, electronic tags and awful lot of paperwork.
 
i considered a sheep or lamb - but figured its way too much hassle and work as they have such different needs etc, and thats without the associated paperwork:rolleyes: I got a Sec A bubba and he's a wee gem:D Ive been very lucky in that my horse and him get on great but they cope fine when I ride my horse out too, i know it doesnt always work that way, i guess its the luck of the draw but i did seek out a line well known for being very laid back.:)
 
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