How did sheep survive before sheep shearers?
Discussion
http://www.theguardian.com/world/2015/sep/02/champ...
One of those chicken and egg type questions but I've always wondered this, just like I wonder why horses need blankets in the winter.
One of those chicken and egg type questions but I've always wondered this, just like I wonder why horses need blankets in the winter.
I was just showing OH that article!
I guess that sheep shearers have been around quite a while, but by the looks of it, the first domesticated sheep were similar to the Soay...
Domestication of wild sheep took place by 7000 BC in central Asia (Barber) and, possibly, considerably before. Ryder, who has written extensively on the history of sheep in Britain, suggests that the first domestic sheep were introduced into Britain by Neolithic settlers around 4000 BC and that these were probably horned brown sheep, similar to Soay. Preserved wool from the Bronze Age appears to be Soay.
Soay are unusual in having an annual moult, in contrast to modern sheep where the wool grows continuously. Soay wool is traditionally collected by combing or plucking not shearing.
From here:
http://www.wildfibres.co.uk/html/sheep_history.htm...
I guess that sheep shearers have been around quite a while, but by the looks of it, the first domesticated sheep were similar to the Soay...
Domestication of wild sheep took place by 7000 BC in central Asia (Barber) and, possibly, considerably before. Ryder, who has written extensively on the history of sheep in Britain, suggests that the first domestic sheep were introduced into Britain by Neolithic settlers around 4000 BC and that these were probably horned brown sheep, similar to Soay. Preserved wool from the Bronze Age appears to be Soay.
Soay are unusual in having an annual moult, in contrast to modern sheep where the wool grows continuously. Soay wool is traditionally collected by combing or plucking not shearing.
From here:
http://www.wildfibres.co.uk/html/sheep_history.htm...
No idea with regards to the sheep but with horses it is down to domestication and the breed. Not all horses/ponies need rugs on in the winter, many owners let their natural coats grow in which case they don't need rugs. However, horses that are in heavy work that are likely to sweat, get clipped to make them more comfortable so will need rugs to keep them warm.
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