In 2018 we both went for our Annual trip to Holland to visit our great friend and trusted breeder Joost Louter, where we purchased a ram lamb that we named Baaboom. He stood out to us straight away, with his very correct confirmation, excellent mouth and lovely clean markings.

Baaboom was imported and then used on a handful of ewes last year, his results were fantastic producing some real quality lambs. His lambs included The Great Yorkshire Show & National Show ewe lamb winner (Lochlad Crystal), the 4th placed ewe lamb (Lochlad Calypso), the 3rd place ram lamb (Lochlad Commando), The Royal Welsh Show 2nd placed ewe lamb (Lochlad Calippso) & 4th placed ram lamb (Lochlad Centurion).

Around October time we found Baaboom non-weight baring on a hind leg, we initially were not that worried thinking whatever it was would right its-self with time. Some pain relief was given, and he was monitored. After no improvement over a couple of weeks we decided on the “box rest” option thinking complete rest would help, however he continued to decline, and his lameness worsened despite more pain relief. At this point the vets suggested it was some form of nerve damage and he should be turned onto a small flat field and given the winter before re-assessment. I should say, although he was incredible lame, he at no point looked miserable or lost his appetite. If this had been the case, then we would not have persevered with him on welfare grounds.

Roll onto February and Baaboom now had lambs on the ground, and we were extremely pleased with his first crop of lambs. Unfortunately, Baaboom was no better after his prolonged winters rest and we made the decision that we owed it to him to investigate his lameness further and sent him away to our amazing vets at The Ark Vet Centre in Lockerbie, for X-Rays. Not expecting the outcome to be good news I had already pre-advised our vets that if what they find was

a) without hope or b) nothing at all, then he was to be euthanised at this stage.

The phone call came that we were dreading, and the results of the X-Ray showed his hip joint had in fact been fractured and had now basically totally degenerated and disintegrated. Expecting the vets to confirm at this stage they would suggest he was euthanised, we were slightly shocked that the option to operate on his hip was suggested. On discussing this option in depth, weighing up the pros and cons, thinking about his welfare, his future, the lambs he had on the ground etc etc. We finally decided as we have come this far with him, because his lambs looked so promising and most of all and probably the most important factor his absolutely amazing temperament, we decided to give the go-ahead and confirmed the vets should try and operate.

The operation went to plan and the whole femoral head was removed, and surrounding area cleaned up. It was described as a bit of a butchery job would never look tidy on any further X-Rays. As the muscle around this area becomes stronger it would hold the newly made Femur neck in place which would eventually work as the ball joint and fit its self into the hip socket. 

Baaboom’s scar was around 8 inches long and curved right over his hind quarters, he was certainly no worse after this major operation, he would quite happily lie down (always on his good side, which was helpful in keeping his wound clean) walk about (on three legs) and certainly never lost his appetite or lost his calm and gentle temperament. He was given a large dose of antibiotics and pain killers for the proceeding days and placed on box rest once again.

The following weeks included the build-up of some gentle physio (that we just made up!) Rocking him from side to side to encourage him to start to put a bit of weight on his leg, slow lifting and rotation of his lower leg. Little by little we encouraged him to move a bit further each day and extended his pen with water on one side food on the other. It wasn’t until six weeks post operation, we started to see some huge steps forward. One day while watching him on the CCTV camera we seen him pushing his head deep into the ring feeder, putting equal pressure on both back legs. This was the first time we actual let our self believe this may have actually worked! His progress from this day was rapid. He was soon using his leg as normal and walking pretty well, he was certainly 80% better than what he was. He was now in a medium sized pen and happily walking around it.

But as with all animals (especially sheep) a major problem then evolved, Baaboom was now using his operated leg that well he went chronically lame on his good leg. Our hearts sank thinking everything we had put him through, all the hours of effort and heartache was now looking futile. We were gutted and confused about what was now causing his new lameness. Thinking his future was now looking very bleak and that there was no way and no point in putting him though any further treatment we resigned our self that the best option would now be to have him euthanised. On talking with our vets it was agreed that the following Monday we would take him in for another X-Ray and then the final decision be made.

In the mean time the spring grass was coming through and the sun was shinning, so we thought why the hell not just chuck him out into the field seeing this would be his final few days in this world. This proved a very influential move as by ‘his final Monday’ and by some miracle he appeared to be pretty much sound on both legs! Off to the vets we went for this X-Ray which showed the operated femur had indeed done the job nicely, in forming the new hit ball and there was no further damage, so home he came and to this day he’s never looked back.

Spending the spring and summer babysitting the pet lambs Baaboom continued to improve and now you wouldn’t know there was ever anything wrong. 

Just under 12 months from the first discovery of his lameness Baaboom has now easily tupped his selected 8 ewes, all within 1 day and we await with bated breath for his 2020 lambs.

His future is still delicate and we do look after him that little bit more, but we are so pleased to have gave him that chance and his lambs from last year have more than paid for the operation so we keep our fingers crossed for more 2020 lambs and the additional sale of semen from this special boy with the amazing temperament!