Please accept this advice in the spirit in which it is given. To a horned blackbelly breeder, a horn growing into the face represents a serious, life-threatening genetic defect. Horned rams with splendid racks that do not threaten their quality of life are easily obtainable. In my humblest of opinions, I would not let this animal breed, nor display it as representative of its breed. If it is also obnoxious and dangerous, I think it would be best euthanized and a more appropriate ram with correct horns be obtained. Good rams are neither rare nor expensive. Having the horn skillfully trimmed would probably be much more expensive than the animal is worth.
Best regards, Barb Lee ----- Original Message ----- From: "Carol J. Elkins" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> To: <blackbelly@lists.blackbellysheep.info> Sent: Tuesday, December 18, 2007 9:19 AM Subject: Re: [Blackbelly] problem with ram horns >I am not a horned breeder, so I can't answer Jennifer's questions. > Can someone else help out here? > > Carol > > At 06:53 PM 12/16/2007, you wrote: >>Hi, >>I am the head of hoofstock at the Alabama Gulf Coast Zoo. I have a >>3 year old hand raised blackbelly ram that has started having issues >>with 1 horn. It is a very nice spiral but it is too close to his >>face. At first it didn't look like a problem as it grew, but now it >>has grown too close to his eye and face. Can it be trained away >>after it has gotten like this? The spot is halfway down the spiral, >>so trimming it would be tricky. How close to the end is the blood >>supply? He is also a typical handraised ram in a close area so it is >>always a fight to do anything with him. >>Thanks in advance >>Jennifer Koehler > > _______________________________________________ > This message is from the Blackbelly mailing list > Visit the list's homepage at %http://www.blackbellysheep.info > > _______________________________________________ This message is from the Blackbelly mailing list Visit the list's homepage at %http://www.blackbellysheep.info
