Ram Shields
Product Details
Protect yourself and animals. Rams can injure each other during breeding season. The Ram Shield is so effective in subduing belligerent rams that it surprises first time “users” (both the ram and the shepherd).
Ram shields are used to block the ram’s forward vision—which prevents rams from charging humans or other rams. Side vision is not affected so the rams can still eat, graze, breed and drink. We use shields only as needed and remove them when the fight “urge” is over.
Horned shields fit over the horns.
Polled shields rely on the ears and head shape to hold its position.
Horned - Fitting instructions and how to adjust the shield 
Common Uses
Specs
Small—Cheviot, Finn, IceLandic, Katadin, Navajo Churro, Romanov and Shetland.
Large—Border Leicester, Columbia, Corriedale, Dorper, Dorset, Hampshire, Lincoln Longwool, Montadale, Polypay, Rambouillet, Romney, Southdown, Suffolk, Targhee, Texel and Tunis.
| Dimensions | Back | Nose | Length | Eye Width | Horn Strap | Nose Strap | Ear Hole |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Horned, small | 7" | 5" | 5" | 12" | 5" | n/a | |
| Horned, large | 9.25" | 7.5" | 8.5" | 11" | 9" | n/a | |
| Polled, small | 5.75" | 5" | 10.5" | 8" | n/a | n/a | 10" |
| Polled, large | 6.5" | 8" | 11" | 10.5" | n/a | n/a | 12.5" |
Note: Colors may vary.
How to Use
Horned Ram Shield:
- Lay ram shield against the ram's face.
- Thread top straps through loops on each side of shield.
- Fasten buckles around chin and around throat and pull straps very snug.
Polled Ram Shield:
- Thread top strap through loop on each side of shield, to form a space for the ram's ear to fit through.
- Place shield against the ram's face.
- Insert ears into spaces between straps.
- Fasten buckles around chin and around throat, and pull straps very snug.
Adjusting or modifying the shield: Getting a good fit is not always easy, because every ram's head is different. A shield can be adjusted and modified (see photos and instructions above) within limits. The depth that you cut will depend on how wide your particular ram's head is. (Remember: You want to block the forward vision, not the side vision. Start with small cuts, and then increase if the eyes are still blocked from the side.)
Our Premier Serrated Foot Trimmer and ARS Hoof Trimmer work well for cutting the leather. Remember: Start small with your cuts, and then increase if the eyes are still blocked from the side. You want to block the forward vision, not the side vision.
See instructions above for additional information.
Precautions
Listed below are recommended optional components or related items. Your particular situation may require alternative recommendations. Please call and talk to our consultants if there are any questions at 800-282-6631.
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Aluminum Tube RedCote™ Crook, 54 in.
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Sweet Chestnut Wooden Neck Crook
Item #804100 -Wooden neck crook preferred for herding dog trials. Light in hand. Nearly essential for herding sheep.
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The "Premier" Fiberglass Crook
Item #804331 -An all-around good shepherd’s crook for handling sheep. Lightweight for quick handling.
$31.50 -
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Blue Leg Aluminum Crook
Item #803001 -Leg crooks are best for goats because goats prefer to face you--so if you wish to catch them in a pen, it works best to do so by snagging a front foot.
$30.50 -
Crooks
Aluminum Leg Crook (head only)
Item #803000 -An effective leg crook head (wooden or fiberglass shaft, not included) used for grabbing either the front or rear legs of sheep or goats.
$13.50
Write a Review
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Catherine G from New Hampshire
We have a four-horned Jacob ram who grew up on our farm (and remained/remains with the flock 24/7) and had zero problems with his behavior right up until the last 3 weeks before lambing began. For reasons seemingly known only to himself, Loki then started destroying the barn. He smashed two sliding stall doors off their tracks and bent the metal tracks themselves. He stabbed gouges into both inner and outer walls, and he knocked boards out here and there. We only have electricity in our main barn, and it was a particularly cold February. Nobody we knew could take him for us, and there was nowhere else to house him, but he was causing some expensive damage. Everywhere he attacked we put up metal mesh panels (which our sheep all avoid on principle) but then he’d just pick a new spot to demolish. My husband got so mad he threatened to shoot Loki, and he meant it.
When I discovered this ram shield it seemed an impossible fix—too simple, too inexpensive—but how could we kill such a gorgeous animal without even trying to save him? It worked immediately. True, he HATED it. Once he accepted the fact that he couldn’t get it off his face, it totally demoralized him. He spent two days in it (and had severe difficulties with eating, because he couldn’t seem to handle the logistics of his horn length/trajectory vs. the wall spacing) so I had to leave a pan out in the middle of one of the stalls for him.
The end of the second day we actually took it off because we felt so bad for him. Two days after that, I caught him backing up to ram a doorway and yelled that he’d better not, or I’d have to put that mask back on him, and I brandished the shield, and he stopped in his tracks. Immediately his ears went back, then he laid down, and sighed heavily. Now he rams this unaffiliated post outside whenever he feels the need to ram something tougher than our Shetland wether. Plus I have the shield whenever/if ever he needs a reminder.
Our barn is saved! Our ram is saved! We could not be happier!
Sandy M from Arizona
I bought the shield for a horned sheep because the other solid one for polled sheep was on backorder. It fit and worked fine for a big club ram. Would order it again if the same circumstances happened. (Maybe he will grow horns, lol.)
Jeremy R from Minnesota
Made too small around the ears. Needs another strap to help hold them on. They come off very easy.
Nicholas E from Alabama
The small polled ram shield fit my Katahdin ram just like the size guide suggested. He had been ramming both the shelter and the ewes, but by obstructing his vision, this shield has pretty much put an end to both behaviors. Price is well worth it!
Ryan P from Oregon
Works great. Only complaint is the ear holes need to be bigger on the large ones.
