Pony Jacobson of Sugarfield Shearing provides mobile shearing services year-round for small and large flocks all over Oregon and Washington.
”What a joy it is to make a full-time career out of doing the work I love.”
2025 marks Pony’s eighth year as a professional shearer. Pony travels to most parts of Oregon and Washington (and a bit of Idaho, too) in his cargo van that is his cozy home-away-from-home. He brings all the tools for the job, including a handy sheep-working Border collie. These two cover 25,000 miles a year to make sure your sheep and camelids get the care they deserve!
Q: Do my sheep need to be sheared every year?
A: Yes! Shearing your sheep every year is best. It’s true that wool will insulate your sheep from extreme weather, but too much wool can cause urine scald, feces buildup, fly strike, skin irritations and hinder your sheep’s ability to move properly. It’s also very difficult to see your sheep’s true body condition with all that wool on. Consider shearing day a really good way to check in on your sheep’s general health.
Q: Why do you require my sheep to be penned before you arrive?
A: Your animals may come running to you and a grain bucket every day, but they rarely cooperate in their usual fashion on shearing day. They know something is suspect the moment my van pulls up to the barn. Pen them the night before so they have a chance to calm down and empty out, which brings us to the next question:
Q: Why do you require my sheep to be off food and water for 12 hours before shearing?
A: Fasting your sheep is for everyone’s comfort and safety. Sheep hold an incredible amount of food in their stomach chambers. Without a chance to empty out, their stomach will push up into their lungs when put into the shearing position and makes breathing difficult. This is very uncomfortable for the sheep and can make them panic and kick and that is very uncomfortable for the shearer.
Q: What do you do when you’re not shearing sheep?
A: When I’m not shearing all over the beautiful Pacific Northwest, I am home on my farm in Astoria, Oregon taking care of my own flock of Romney sheep and training Border collies. Sometimes I even get to ride my horse.
To request services or get more information, contact Pony by email or call/text 917-613-3560.