Your main objective is to get to a gate and get out of the situation, so if walking toward the ram means walking away from a gate, you may need to take a different approach. Don’t run toward the ram as it may see this as a charge. Simply walk at an even pace toward the animal. If the ram backs up and you keeping walking toward it for long enough, it will most likely charge at some point, so be ready to perform another defensive technique.
This may stop the ram in its tracks, but you should also be prepared to dodge in case it does not stop completely.
Since the ram is expecting to butt its head against something after it lunges, it will be confused when it only hits air. Use this time to make your next move.
Grab either the right horn with your right hand or the left horn with your left hand and swing the ram around the same side of your body as the hand you grabbed with. As the ram swings in a circle, you may be able to grab a hold of the other horn and twist the ram’s head in a way that will bring it to the ground.
This takes vigilance, but it is the kind of proactive measure that is most likely to pay off. If you can see the ram always, then you have a better chance at defending yourself in case of a charge. To the end of always having eyes on the ram, it is advisable to work with at least one other person, which can help you get done what you need to while still keeping the ram in sight.
Rams that were raised as pets may get close and nuzzle in a way that encourages you to pet them, but you have to avoid it no matter what. Pushing a ram’s head, even more than scratching or petting, will be taken as an act of aggression against it and can lead a ram to become aggressive.
This is especially important to keep in mind if you happen to drop something and need to bend over to pick it up. You should squat and keep your head upright as much as possible so the ram doesn’t see you lower your head.
