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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Crooks
KiwiCrook™
Item #804334 -For catching sheep and/or goats by the neck or leg. Lightweight for quick handling.
$52.75 -
Crooks
Aluminum Tube RedCote™ Crook, 54 in.
Item #804326 -Used for grabbing animals as they are passing by or singling one out of a group. Handles well.
$31.00 -
Crooks
Sweet Chestnut Wooden Neck Crook
Item #804100 -Wooden neck crook preferred for herding dog trials. Light in hand. Nearly essential for herding sheep.
$44.00 -
Crooks
The "Premier" Fiberglass Crook
Item #804331 -An all-around good shepherd’s crook for handling sheep. Lightweight for quick handling.
$31.50 -
Crooks
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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Erin G from New Hampshire
Granted, this review is a few years late, but after seeing some of the negative feedback reported by some customers I felt it couldn’t hurt to submit another positive result?
Our 4-horned Jacob ram Loki is an unusually large specimen. (Over 285lbs in summer wool, according to that body/measurements equation—VERY fit, everything in proportion, but HUGE!) and his disposition towards us and towards his flock is fantastic, BUT he has destroyed an inconvenient percentage of our barn. Hundreds and hundreds of dollars worth of damage. My husband had reached the point of threatening to shoot our only breeding male to make it stop.
I bought Premier’s ram shield with zero expectations; putting it on wasn’t a problem simply because Loki decided to cooperate (he’s good that way), and the customizable design brilliantly accommodated even his sizeable radial horns. The problem we ran into was how the experience of wearing it sapped him of his will to live. He wouldn’t eat, or move, he just hung his head and stood there, immobilized, in the middle stall for 12 full hours.
I gave in, took it off him, and watched him hustle away, his giant horns on his massive head held high. (Ultimately we opted to have him surgically castrated the following year; he was too closely related to most of the girls to continue breeding them, and we wanted to keep him here with his family. He probably would have preferred to leave them, and us, and keep his testicles, however that was a decision made above his pay grade!)
NONE THE LESS this is a fantastic device which can be made to fit even the most “uniquely built” animals. It is a simple, painless solution to what, for many people, amounts to a major problem, and I would highly recommend trying it out to anyone in the market because the odds of success are absolutely in their favor!
William P from Georgia
Too small for the Katahdin. Needed the large polled I guess. Our sheep are larger than description.
Jen S from Nebraska
I run Shepherd’s Rest Goat and Sheep Rescue. Some of the animals that arrive here have been victims of cruelty and abuse. They are frightened and angry. We are their last chance. The ram shield has allowed us to safely work with them, so they can learn kindness and that they do not have to use their horns as a weapon any longer.
The current 250 pound boar goat, Snickers, would corner myself and my volunteers. He is food aggressive as well. With the ram shield his behavior has changed immediately. He is no longer aggressive to us or the other goats he shares a pen with. Wearing the shield he is able to navigate his environment safely, as he still has his peripheral vision. I highly recommend this product!
Kathy R from Kentucky
I have father and son rams that live together, and in previous years we’ve had no problem with them fighting during rut. This year seemed to be an exception and my polled senior ram got his head gashed open by his “horny” son (pun intended—and he does have horns). So since we didn’t have a good area to separate them, I ordered the large horned shield. Yes, it was a bit challenging to put on, he’s not a mean ram, just can be a bit skittish and funky about his head being messed with. Once I had it on him, he was very bewildered. It took a few days for him to get used to it, but no more knocking heads. Seems to be made well enough, and I’ll take it off once rut is over. They get along fine, and neither of them are rammy to humans (for the most part). I wanted to order a small horned one for a very mean nanny goat, but they are back ordered. Hope they get them in soon!
Jane M from Oklahoma
Bought this for my ram. Works very well. Haven’t had a problem since my family started using it.
