Goat isn’t uncommon (they ARE hard to restrain, though–Old Friends had to put in special fencing for Eldaafer’s paddock to keep his goat buddies from doing as goats do and escaping). But sheep would seem to be a much bigger hassle–besides making sure that they don’t get into any foods with too much copper (including a lot of goat formulas and mineral blocks formulated for almost anything that isn’t a sheep) what about shearing? That has to be done. I thought learning to do the goat’s feet was a hassle, I imagine sheep are similar. Unless they luck into a farrier who knows goats and sheep and is willing to trim them, they have to do that, too. I mean, goat are a lot easier than trimming horses, but it’s a hassle.
Yes, its excessive. Its what I would call “indulgent”. People with emotional needs want to buy what the other person has.
that’s about it . It isn’t about their horses, its about their personal catering to their own emotions. Good for them. Thank the GODs I don’t board there.
My friend’s mare and my mare share a large pasture with a flock of sheep from late fall through early spring. Sheep have an area to get away from the horses and still access hay and are separated once lambing season hits. We’re also very careful that said sheep do not get into the horse’s grain, even though they are convinced they should have some.
Not an ideal situation, but it is a private farm, and first and foremost a sheep farm. However, it’s not set up in a way to have the species separated during the colder months. I wouldn’t want to use one as a companion animal.
On a different note, it was a nice surprise that my OTTB was totally unfazed by the white fluffy things when she first got here.
