Horses and Dogs and Quilts, oh My! aka Too many hobbies.: July 2012

We've been trying to lay low here due to the extreme heat. Way too many days over 100 degrees. We've had about 3 minor rains since April or so. Rain 3 was just 5 minutes long today. I know, that's pathetic. I've been watering trees to try to save them. Our pastures are brown with a tinge of green from the first two rains a few weeks ago.

I did attend two clinics this year and both have been very helpful for Fly and myself. In March Jack Knox gave us a clinic and showed how to use a round pen effectively and without stressing the dog. Fly and I made some GREAT progress on actually going 'around' the sheep, rather than 'at' the sheep which is how she was thinking before. I'm actually seeing her go round sheep when its time to pick them up as well.

Then in late June we had a HOT clinic with Gordon Watt (it was unbearable weather). Gordon immediately saw that we have no 'stop'. You just can't make progress with your dog if she won't 'stop' when you ask for it (Lie Down is the command but the dog can sit or stand). So, he set us on a journey around fences with sheep and asking for a Lie down. We are teaching Fly that its OK to relax and actually STOP while NEAR the sheep.

I've really seen a change in her attitude from these two clinics and we are working much quieter and slower now than we used to. I've also made changes to my working attitude which all translates to the dog as well.

Some of you have asked about the breeds of sheep I have. I have mostly St. Croix (all the wethers and 1 ewe) and two Katahdin ewes that have only had 1 lamb between them so far ( a ewe!). Here are some good links for reading on the two breeds. They are both from hot climates and have a good resistance to parasites, which are a huge concern for sheep. Parasites can kill a sheep easily. They are also good, easy mothers.

I've been rotating the sheep in the pasture using 320 feet of portable, temporary electric fencing. After a false start we got the hang of it and now the sheep can go about a week or so before I have to move them. It's really working out quite well and will keep the pastures parasite free and it is better for the sheep and the grass. I should be able to get 12-15 weeks out of the field I'm using. I put up a portable shade for them when we don't have a nearby tree.

Here's Fly after we put the sheep in the stall. Look what a good job I did Mommy!