Catching and holding sheep
Handling sheep is a regular task on any lifestyle block, whether you're trimming feet, checking udders, or giving treatments. Learning how to tip a sheep safely and confidently will make your work faster and less stressful for both you and the animal.
Never grab sheep by the wool
It might seem convenient, but never catch or hang on to a sheep by its wool. It causes pain and bruising and can damage the fleece.
The best way to catch a sheep
Always approach sheep calmly and quietly. Move up behind the animal, ideally in a confined area like a yard or crush pen with other sheep around it. Although the rear is technically the sheep’s blind zone, they are highly alert and will usually see you coming. Having a solid boundary and other sheep close by will help reduce panic.
Once close enough, place one hand under the sheep’s chin to lift its head slightly. This prevents it from lunging forward and escaping. If the head drops, you'll lose control.
How to tip a sheep onto its rump
Follow these steps to tip the sheep safely:
With one hand under the chin, turn the head gently so the nose is pointing towards the animal’s rear on the far side from you
Place your other hand at the sheep’s rear end or where the back leg joins the body
Move backwards while pulling the sheep towards you and applying steady pressure to its head
As the legs start to buckle, the body will fall back towards you
Don’t let it hit the ground or it may escape
If you’re strong and the sheep is small, lifting and twisting together will keep its feet off the ground, reducing resistance
Quickly grab the front legs and pull the sheep into a seated position, angled back about 60 degrees from upright
Finding the right angle is key. Too far forward and the sheep may launch back onto its feet. Too far back and it will struggle, kicking out with both back legs. When you find the sweet spot, the sheep will relax. You can then restrain it gently with your knees. This is the same position used by shearers before they begin shearing.
Tipping large or heavy sheep
Heavier sheep, like mature rams or ewes, are harder to tip using the standard method. Their strong necks make it difficult to turn the head. Here are two alternate techniques to manage bigger animals.
Trick 1 using both legs
Block the sheep in the crush pen
Kneel beside it and reach through to grab the two far side legs
Pull the legs firmly towards you
The sheep will drop onto its side
Use the moment of surprise to hold it down
Quickly grab the front legs and tip the sheep onto its rump
Be prepared for kicking once it realises what happened
Here's a run through of what this looks like step by step:
Trick 2 using one leg
Block the sheep in
Reach down and grab the far side front leg
Pull firmly and the sheep will drop sideways
Move quickly to restrain and tip it into the sitting position
These methods are useful when working alone or handling strong, heavy animals that resist tipping in the usual way.
Practice makes perfect
Catching and tipping sheep takes skill, strength, and good timing. With regular handling, both you and your flock will become more relaxed and cooperative.
