Vanessa, Laura & Anya all took part in the fall shearing. Vanessa is the shearer and Laura is typically the "coach" who reminds the shearer of the next move, takes the machine if the sheep start struggling and general helps hold and handle the animal through the shearing. Anya is behind the camera here, but after a few pointers and observation of how we do it, Anya filled in as the "coach" for several of the lambs that were shorn yesterday.
Shearing is an exciting time for sheep farmers. Icelandic sheep are shorn twice per year and the fall wool is at it's best. It's also a chance to see just how good the animal looks under all that fleece! Summer pastures at HOWL treated them well! They all scored a 3.5 (out of 5) or higher on the their body condition scoring. A good hoof trimming and some organic garlic treatment for their tummies and they are back on pasture.
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