Woodland Creek Soay Rams

Woodland Creek Soay Rams
Soay Sheep Ram Assortment

Sunday, April 15, 2007

Don't try this at home.

Well, after offering up advice on a sheep discussion group at how to readily capture our wild, leaping Soay sheep, I run into, (literally) trouble myself. I was giving yearling Soay sheep rams their annual vaccinations, worming, and hoof trimming. This involves first capturing, then 'man-handling' the sheep into submission. Soay sheep are not very large, particularly not yearling rams, so it is a 'one-man job'. Normally. I had successfully captured, treated, and moved a couple older rams already, and was turning my attention to the third of the rams, a yearling. I chased them all back behind the shed into a dead-end alleyway, then I get ready to capture the one I want by grabbing him by the horns as he rushes by me.
The only thing is that certain Soay sheep love to leap. This one, Woodland Creek Chico, eluded me on the first pass by leaping about 4 feet high (at least it seemed that high) and as he sailed by me, he kicked his back legs and I thought to myself that his hoof came pretty close to my eyes. Probably should be wearing safety glasses (which I usually do, as the ewe horns can stab you right in the eye as you are handling them). But of course I don't want to walk all the way back to the garage to get safety glasses. So I round them up again, and again try to nab little Chico.
(here is the mug shot of the perp)

This time, as he sails by in the air about 4 feet high, somehow his devilish little horns come smack into contact with the bridge of my nose. I go down to my knees like a shot, blood pouring out of my nose. I cannot believe I just did this. It was such a shocking blow that I am sure my nose is broken. I am so mad that I am going to look like such an idiot to get my nose broken by a little 60-lb sheep. I had just previously called my wife on the cell phone to have her bring me the vaccine from the refrigerator (you know - dirty sheep boots and can't go in the house) so I knew she was in the shower and wouldn't answer the phone. I have a handkerchief staunching the blood flow, but tipping my head back I can feel blood running down my throat (sorry if this grosses anyone out - it sure did me!). I can't go in the house with sheep-crap boots, but finally I get them off and go in and holler for my wife. She calls our son, who is a EMT / Firefighter, and he says DON't tip your head back - you'll swallow blood and throw up...
So anyway, to make a long story short, my nose wasn't broken. The bleeding stopped. There is a pretty good chunk out of the outside of my too. And no, I won't be posting any photos of the results to my nose.
Now I recommend using the giant salmon landing net that I have used on previous occasions.

1 comment:

Terri_A said...

Gevan that is just HORRIBLE! Get well soon - from all of us at *clover creek*....