Geograph - photograph every grid square

These three Wiltshire Horn sheep, in a little pasture also visible in SU0725 : The parting of the ways, are taking advantage of the shade on an unseasonably hot day in October.

The Wiltshire Horn is an ancient native breed of sheep that was, until the end of the 18th century, the commonest breed to be found on the Wiltshire Downs. At this time the sheep were able to roam freely and did well on the poor, open, terrain which offered little shade or protection. It is this background that has given the breed a reputation for being hardy and resilient. During the 19th century the Wiltshire Horn breed came close to extinction as the demand for wool increased, in the early 20th century they were saved by a small group of enthusiastic breeders who formed the Wiltshire Horn Sheep Society in 1923. In the 1970's they were given protection by the Rare Breeds Survival Trust ( Link ) and numbers have significantly increased in recent years as the breed regains popularity. One of the main features of the Wiltshire Horn sheep is its ability to cast off its wool meaning that labour costs associated with wool production are drastically reduced with no need to gather sheep for shearing or dipping. The ewes are large framed and make good mothers with plenty of milk, they are also good lambers both indoors and outside. The lambs have remarkable vitality at birth and will grow to heavy weights without putting on excess fat, making them popular for the meat market. For more information visit the Wiltshire Horn Sheep Society website at Link .