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- #631
SageHill
Herd Master
They have to go through to get their meals!
SageHill Ranch Journal
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- #632
SageHill
Herd Master
What’s the best thing about after Halloween 
?
PUMPKINS!
?PUMPKINS!
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- #633
SageHill
Herd Master
And they go through the chute. Thinking that some day next week will be tilt-a-whirl day.
Here's the video.....
Here's the video.....
Baymule
Herd Master
Thanks for the giggle! They really really want to go out!
Ridgetop
Herd Master
We should rearrange our squeeze when we get to Texas and try this arrangement. The squeeze is already in Texas - it also sits higher than yours. It has a ramp, but the ramp is sort of steep so maybe we will have to build a longer ramp for the squeeze in Texas. I think we will also install some sort of adding on the sides for a more comfortable and secure grip.
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- #636
SageHill
Herd Master
It took a week o
I was originally going to do it all out in the corral, but the ah ha moment was set up in the barn go stall to stall. I may need extra stuff from the tack room when I get it all going. It’ll be much easier being in the barn. And the rubber floor adds an extra reason just for grins.
f working them through to get them going through nicely. I’ll do a week of this to cement that foundation before they go for the ride, then repeat a week of going through without the ride. Hopefully they’ll forgive and forget!
I was originally going to do it all out in the corral, but the ah ha moment was set up in the barn go stall to stall. I may need extra stuff from the tack room when I get it all going. It’ll be much easier being in the barn. And the rubber floor adds an extra reason just for grins.
Ridgetop
Herd Master
Much better to set up in the barn since it will be shady in summer and out of the rain and wind in winter. Being able to trim hooves, and do sheep chores out of the weather is a real plus.
Mini Horses
Herd Master
They do not like the noisy floor! 
. You can see them trying to jump it...instead of walking onto it. That's the scary for them.
. You can see them trying to jump it...instead of walking onto it. That's the scary for them.
Baymule
Herd Master
Sheep don’t like putting their feet on anything they can see through.
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- #640
SageHill
Herd Master
@Mini Horses - actually the last two who did the jump routine had one of the panels shift on them (the black panels) the time before so they didn't want to go through the next time. Operator error (me) on not having the panels truly secured. The time before that they went through w/o jumping. That's also why they balked at going through right before Black-Black shoved them out of the way. In the beginning it was either a race to get through (hmmmm wondered why they called chutes a race 
) or a jump-a-thon. They have learned that good food awaits on the other side. LOL the first time on the other side were lambs - mamas got to go to lambs.
@Baymule - I started out with the entire floor covered in alfalfa. Of course piggy ram blocked everyone as he ate it
. I also have available leftover rubber matting from the stalls that I could have cut to fit. That was what I was going to do to start, but I was too lazy to go up the ladder to get it and opted for the hay. It worked, so the matting is still in the loft but could be used if I need it.
Going into this desensitization I'd read here about the grate type floors on stantions and that sheep did not like that which is why I've been doing all the go through the contraption exercises.. It's working well for me. We're up to going through 4-6 times a day. You can see in the video that most of them are pretty much walking through calmly. Of course all the practice is also showing me where I can improve as well. LOL I've got the bars out of the headgate yet still need to open the headgate -- Spot the wether is fluffy enough to need it open. Well - one time I forgot to open the headgate and he ........ got stuck. Silly shepherdess to the rescue - hit the release lever and out he went. No harm no foul. Lessons learned.
) or a jump-a-thon. They have learned that good food awaits on the other side. LOL the first time on the other side were lambs - mamas got to go to lambs.@Baymule - I started out with the entire floor covered in alfalfa. Of course piggy ram blocked everyone as he ate it
. I also have available leftover rubber matting from the stalls that I could have cut to fit. That was what I was going to do to start, but I was too lazy to go up the ladder to get it and opted for the hay. It worked, so the matting is still in the loft but could be used if I need it.Going into this desensitization I'd read here about the grate type floors on stantions and that sheep did not like that which is why I've been doing all the go through the contraption exercises.
. It's working well for me. We're up to going through 4-6 times a day. You can see in the video that most of them are pretty much walking through calmly. Of course all the practice is also showing me where I can improve as well. LOL I've got the bars out of the headgate yet still need to open the headgate -- Spot the wether is fluffy enough to need it open. Well - one time I forgot to open the headgate and he ........ got stuck. Silly shepherdess to the rescue - hit the release lever and out he went. No harm no foul. Lessons learned.
