As mentioned last week, I went to the Western Washington Fair last Friday.

I did see the Mutton Bustin’ event–where children 6 years and younger weighing 60 pounds and under attempt to ride sheep the way a rodeo rider rides a bronc or bull. It was just about the most adorable thing I’ve ever seen. I took some shaky video: youtube.com/watch?v=Q2P4Ouaf3wg

Since sheep aren’t exactly known for their great trainability, I wondered how they’d get the sheep to cooperate and it turns out to be a very simple method. Sheep are flocking animals by nature; the wranglers simply tie up some sheep from the flock at the opposite side of the arena; as soon as the lone sheep springs from the chute the first thing he or she wants to do is run to join the flock again. The kids are padded and helmeted, the sheep are covered in wool and there are many, many assistants to make sure the whole thing goes off smoothly. Wanna check it out? Ewe’d better hurry–the Fair ends soon.

Related posts:

1. It’s a Doozy!
2. Pictures of Zoo
3. This Saturday: take a walk in a park
4. I-90 is open
5. when animals attack woodland park zoo will kill them