How to Make a Sheep Harness or Collar

Sheep are social animals accustomed to following the herd, but a single sheep may follow its curiosity and wander. In lieu of a sheepdog, a collar or harness can help you control an animal securely and in a way that is comfortable for both of you. Making your own collar or harness takes a bit of measuring and sewing, but the result is an inexpensive piece of tack custom-made to fit your sheep.

Things You'll Need

  • Sewing machine or heavy-duty sewing needle
  • Heavy-duty thread
  • Straight pins
  • Measuring tape
  • 1-inch to 1 1/2-inch nylon webbing
  • Matches or lighter
  • Damp cloth
  • Heavy scissors
  • 1 metal rectangular slider
  • 5 eyelets
  • Eyelet tool
  • 1 metal tongue buckle
  • 2 metal O-rings
  • 1 metal side-release buckle
  • 1 metal D-ring
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Instructions

  1. Collar

    • 1

      Measure the sheep's neck, leaving enough room to slip two fingers between the measuring tape and the neck. This will allow the animal to breathe without letting it slip out of the collar.

    • 2
      You can use other materials for the collar, too.

      Cut a piece of nylon webbing twice the length of the neck measurement. This allows you to adjust the collar as needed.

    • 3

      Melt the ends of the webbing with the match or lighter, and then grasp the hot ends with the damp cloth to smooth the melted plastic. This keeps the nylon from fraying.

    • 4
      Use a thimble if hand-stitching the nylon.

      Loop one end of the webbing through the center bar of the buckle, pinning it to the rest of the webbing length with about 3 inches of overlap. Sew this down with the sewing machine or by hand, stitching a rectangle with an X inside it for the best stability.

    • 5
      Eyelets make the collar adjustable.

      Attach the eyelets to the other end of the webbing piece, starting 1 or 2 inches from the end and placing an eyelet every 1/2 inch to 1 inch.

    • 6
      Hook a leash to the O-ring.

      Run the loose end of the webbing through the rectangular slider, through an O-ring and through the end of the rectangular slider again. The collar is now ready for the sheep.

    Harness

    • 7
      An animal's withers are the top of its shoulders.

      Measure the sheep's girth and across the withers to just above the breastbone. These are lengths 1 and 2. Measure the distance between the withers and the top of the girth (length 3), as well as the distance between the top of the breastbone and the bottom of the girth (length 4).

    • 8

      Add 3 inches to lengths 1 and 2. Add 6 inches to lengths 3 and 4. Cut 4 pieces of nylon webbing the lengths of the final measurements. Sear all cut ends with a lighter or matches and smooth with a damp cloth.

    • 9

      Loop 1 end of length 1 through each side of the side buckle, overlapping by 1 1/2 inches. Loop each end of length 2 through the O-ring, overlapping by 1 1/2 inches. Pin each overlap for sewing.

    • 10

      Draw 1 end of length 3 through the D-ring and around the top of length 1, overlapping by 3 inches. Loop the other end of length 2 around the top of length 2, overlapping by 3 inches. Loop 1 end of length 4 around the bottom of length 1, overlapping by 3 inches. Loop the other end of length 4 through the same O-ring as the ends of length 2, overlapping by 3 inches. Pin each overlap for sewing

    • 11

      Sew each overlap with a sewing machine or by hand, using a rectangle with an X inside it for the best stability. Make sure that the D-ring stays in the loop of webbing that wraps around the girth strap.