Horns and a seasonal coat
Knowledge for understanding and preserving Wiltshire Horn.
The Wiltshire Horn Sheep Society’s standard specifies horns in both sexes. The horn should curve clear of the head, with a stronger, more complex curve in the male. Clearance is a functional detail as well as part of the breed’s appearance.
The coat is also distinctive. The standard describes short, kemp-containing wool that falls as the sheep gains condition in early spring. This seasonal shedding sets the breed apart from sheep maintained primarily for a persistent wool fleece.
The society additionally describes a level back, sound feet, strong pasterns and a well-angled hock. These features connect the breed’s striking appearance with the support and movement needed by a grazing animal. A shedding coat changes fleece management; it does not remove the need to observe the animal’s skin, condition, horns and general health.
Sources behind this article
This is original Conservation Legacy teaching informed by the sources below. Follow the official material for the full account and its context.