Preserving sheep horn's?

[LDennis24]

Hey everyone, I need some tips on how to preserve a sheep head. One of my Icelandic sheep rams passed away a couple days ago and I've saved the head to make a euro mount. It has large full curl's. My question is how do I clean the horn caps and preserve them so they will not split on the end's and will look shiny but not glossy? Or whatever technique you guy's use. Any advice is appreciated.

[buglebuster]

You'll basically have to let it rot until you can get the horns to pop off. Once you get them off, cut the bone about 6in or so above the skull. Just enough to epoxy the horns back on. Then boil, or whatever you plan to do with the skull to make the euro. Use a pressure washer to wash the inside of the horns out, then pack with salt  and let it dry for a few weeks. Take the salt out then fill full of silicone, and glue back on skull. Worked for me.

[BULLBLASTER]

Should be able to steam the horns off. Put it over a pot of boiling water and let the steam soften it up and the horns will pop off

[LDennis24]

I've got the horns off. They just popped off after a few days in the heat. My question is after I put them back on the skull, will they crack on the ends like an old ram gets brushes or will they stay solid? I read that you should never put oil on them but don't know why...

[buglebuster]

I've never heard of needing to seal them

[Skyvalhunter]

I have never preserved any of my sheep horns and don't believe it is necessary unless you are leaving them outdoors in the elements

[LDennis24]

Ok guys thanks! I just didn't want to let them go and then they split and I can't fix them. I found him dead when I came home the other day and he had perfect full curl's so I didn't want to bury him with such a nice set of horn's. I'll post a pic for ya guy's so you can see the finished head also. Thanks again!

[BlackRiverTaxidermy]

LDennis,
Coat the horn caps with a liberal amount of WD-40....it will make then shiny until it drys fully. You can buy commercial horn oil solution, but it is essentially the same exact stuff as WD-40. I don't know where your heard not to oil them....that's really the only way to keep them hydrated. The long term care of those types of horns is the same...just apply a liberal amount to a rag and wipe down once a year. The synthetic oils in WD-40 keep the keratin preserved and helps to no crack, split, or flake.
Rule of thumb....'Oil horns, Wax antlers'.
Joel-BRT

[Natures Way]

I would use horn conditioner on them and not deal with any of the rest of it. Wax the antlers Joel?

[LDennis24]

You know Joel I have heard of using WD-40 for pronghorn and was wondering if it would work on a sheep horn as well. Thanks for the info guy's! Where do I get horn conditioner? Is it liquid or will it build up over time like a wax?

[BlackRiverTaxidermy]

I would use horn conditioner on them and not deal with any of the rest of it. Wax the antlers Joel?

Yep, not like a car wax but a floor wax that is used on hardwood floors. I use the Watco 'light' on all the antlers. It doesn't make a sheen but protects them really well. Just wipe on a real light coat with paper towel. Was taught that by Jeff Welch of Trails West Taxidermy in MT.