Ewes with three levels of maternal experience were tested for fear reactions in three different tests. The ewes were either nulliparous (21 months, never giving birth to a lamb), primiparous (21 months, one lamb reared), or multiparous (ave. 4.5 yr; 1-4 litters reared). When isolated from other sheep, ewes from all parity groups were calm and non-fearful. When exposed to a large rubber ball dropping from the ceiling (surprise test), ewes that had given birth (primiparous and multiparous) were less fearful than the nulliparous ewes, indicating that the experience of giving birth and rearing a lamb reduced the response to startling stimuli. The final test involved being in the presence of humans. Only the multiparous animals displayed a non-fearful response to this situation, indicating that several birthing/rearing experiences (or age) were necessary to reduce the fear of humans. The experiences of giving birth and rearing lambs reduced the response of ewes to humans and startling stimuli.