Ultimate fail...

[Gritty]

We finally got some sun and the girls fleeces dried out. Got our shearing stuff ready to go, got our girl into the catch pen, started shearing with our new blades (note to would be shearers: you have to get cutters and combs that match your machine. Had a comb that was 2.5, a cutter that was 3 and our machine was 3).

Husband had just finished her belly when I realized what time it was and had to run my dd to her music class. My teen boy took over for me. Well, I figured I'd get back to a shorn sheep or the guys would quit immediately. Got back to a sheep that looked like she'd be right at home on the set for mad max. It seems they were clipping right along when suddenly (!?!) the blades flew off. I thought maybe the tension was set too loose, but no the retaining spring on the clipper broke. Cheap part, but we're stalled until it arrives. Might have to call the shearer, after all.

This is kinda what she looks like. She would make a burner (burning man festival) have hair envy.

[DragonFlyFarm]

Ha! The other sheep are pointing and giggling as we speak .

[tracerracer]

That is sooo a day in my life........ Good luck...........................

[Lazy J]

The one day shearing seminar I attended while in college led by Charlie Swaim was one of the best investments I ever made. Although we don't shear many sheep I know how to do it efficiently and with minimal stress to the sheep.

Sorry to hear about your problems, just look at them as learning experiences.