This morning on our way to Cape Reinga, the northern most tip of New Zealand, we came across an interesting sight. Two sheep herders on dirty, well-worn quads along with their herding dogs were working a flock of 300 - 400 sheep. When we arrived on the scene two dogs already had the sheep bunched into a circle. One of the herders was on the road, the other was in the field calling commands to the dogs working the herd.
We stopped our car before we went past the herder on the road. He motioned for us to go by. We pulled up and said that we'd like to watch. He responded, "Move ahead and you'll be alright."
We drove ahead until we were by the open gate, stopped and got out.
While we watched, the herding dogs got the sheep moving towards the open gate. The sheep ran out of the field and headed down the road and passed where we were parked.
One dog was ahead of the herd. The herder called another command and the dog at the rear went running ahead of the herd and started to turn them back on themselves. When the dog ran past our position it ignored us, as if we were invisible.
The turned herd ran back along the road, went past the gate they had exited and went into a gate further along the road.
Soon they were contently eating in a new paddock.
There was a bleating across the road . One sheep seemed to be bogged down close to the fence. One of the dogs was trying to get it going but all it did was bleat. The herder who had been in the paddock got off his quad, went and picked up the sheep, and tossed it over the fence.
Time to head in for a cup of tea. A morning's job well done.
I have seen this herding done in exibition and on t.v. but it was a great expereince to see a real working pair of shepherds and their dogs.
Other scenes along the way:
That would be so great to see first hand. What a great idea for a kids story or article.
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