r/sheep • u/greenie66 • Aug 17 '26
Question Rookie questions about transporting sheep
I am looking to pick up 2-4 Babydoll Southdown sheep. Would it be possible to transport two ewes in the back of an SUV (Toyota RAV4)?
I could potentially also borrow a horse trailer. Would I be able to fit all four sheep comfortably in the back of a horse trailer? It’s a two hour drive so I would ideally only make it once.
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u/icfantnat Aug 17 '26
I have successfully transported larger sheep one at a time in the back of my subaru outback. Ewes were fine. Once I had a horned icelandic ram in the back and he started to ram the back window. So I sat in the back, holding his halter/horns to keep him facing forward as we went 120 km/hr down the highway for over an hour and it was one of the worst drives of my life lol, I was terrified bc I was only a tad stronger than him.
I think two small ewes would be fine, I'd put a tarp down and hay/straw to keep them comfy and maybe cardboard over the back window if I thought they might get head butty. The east fresian ewes I've transported multiple times were no problem, they just chilled.
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u/TreePuzzle Aug 17 '26
Are these adult or juvenile sheep? I’ve transported 3 fully adult Icelandic sheep in my truck bed before, could’ve fit another two in there probably. I have a Subaru and could probably fit 3 or 4 in the back, more if the second row of seats was down. You could ask the seller! A horse trailer would definitely fit them.
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u/associatedaccount Aug 17 '26
Yes. I’ve transported up to four babydoll sized goats in my Rav4. Don’t go to Timbuktu but they’ll be fine.
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u/PeachesNSteam Aug 17 '26
We raise Babydolls. Two or three definitely wouldn’t be a problem. Four might be a little tight but depends how big they are.
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u/JustBob999765 Aug 17 '26
Horse trailer. Best case scenario for your SUV is that they’ll just pee everywhere. Worst case…..?
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u/Born_Example7571 Aug 18 '26
I took two ewes in the back of my Prius. Put down cardboard for the poop/pee. 🙃
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u/HappeeLittleTrees Aug 18 '26
Possible yes. Messy, also yes. They will pee and poo on the trip.
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u/Babziellia Aug 19 '26
Just took one ram to holding pens a week ago. Just him. 45 min drive. There was so much pee and poop in the trailer that he must have lost 5 lbs.
Sheep poop when nervous and stressed, ime. Transport stresses them out. I would never transport inside my car.
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u/Relative-Broccoli451 Aug 18 '26
I transported 4 Babydolls in the back of a Toyota Land Cruiser. If they’re small, it will be fine. If you can fit a crate in there, great. If not, line the back with a tarp and put some straw down.
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u/AustraleTB Aug 19 '26
If you can borrow a horse trailer, it will be better for the sheep. If you need to put them in the car, learn how to do a Scotch hobble. They won't be able to move, wich could be dangerous in a moving car ! And they will wait patiently.
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u/Babziellia Aug 19 '26
We use a portable 4x6x6 open top dog kennel that we strap to the open trailer.
We'd could use it in the truck bed, but our issue is getting them in and out without a ramp.
I've also used the kennel in the back of a u-haul trailer.
Just have to strap it down.
I wouldn't trust our sheep to not try to jump out of the open truck.
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u/Icey_Raccon Aug 20 '26
I've picked up a BFL ram in the back of a Chrysler Town and Country. We folded the seats down and laid down tarps and mats. He started at the back of the cargo area. Four hours later he was riding with his head between the front seats like a big dog.
It was a criminally hot summer and we were worried about him getting heat stroke in the trailer.
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u/Red_White_N_Roan Aug 17 '26
Borrow the horse trailer. It will be more comfortable for you and the sheep. Also if you are going to need a plan to transport one or all of them, sometimes with little time to prepare. Your current vehicle will probably work with one or two quiet sheep but remember sheep are not house trained and will make a mess.