Shepherds have been trying, with varying degrees of success, to protect their flocks from predators for, as long as there have been domesticated animals. For the most part these efforts have used two main techniques; guard the livestock and/or kill the predators. In the sheep and goat country of the western U.S. an intense program of predator eradication was undertaken beginning in the late 1940's. Trapping and poison had been used for many years in this area but nothing like the widespread use of long lasting systemic poisons that virtually eliminated the larger predators such as coyotes, wolves, bears, cougars, bobcats, eagles and foxes over a large area.
Both sheep and goats originated in the drier regions of the world and to this day are best adapted to thrive in dry areas. To successfully manage sheep and goats in humid areas, it is necessary to under stand how these animals react with their environment. Both sheep and goats are selective grazers rather than mass grazers like cattle or bison. They are physiologically adapted to consuming small amounts of high quality feed rather than large amounts of low quality feed. If possible, they will select only the young leaves and tender growing points of a wide variety of plants. Both species are equipped to metabolize plant toxins such as tannins to a much greater extent than are cattle and routinely select plants that mass grazers find repugnant.
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On September 9 and 10, 2005, the first ever Ranching School of Hard Knocks Sheep and Goat School was held in Vinita Oklahoma. The instructors—Dr. Ann Wells, Dr. Bob Steger, Wally Olson and Walt Davis—presented material gained in more than 150 years of actually owning and making a living from grazing animals. The students were encouraged to ask questions and make comments, and good discussions developed on many different subjects.