Archaeological remains of wool- and dairy-processing equipment, extensive faunal assemblages, and literary sources support the presence of sheep and goat (ovicaprid) husbandry in Thessaly, Greece during the Hellenistic period (323-31 BCE). We question the extent of herd movement in this region and explore the corresponding human-animal relationships. By integrating archaeological data with stable isotope values recorded from ovicaprid teeth we establish different management strategies according to mobility patterns (⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr), seasonality (δ¹⁸O), and diet (δ¹³C). Husbandry styles have corresponding impacts on regional economies, environmental ecology, and cultures today and in the past. In modern communities, locally-raised ovicaprids may be maintained and protected in backyard garden plots for household use, consuming local resources and manuring nearby fields. Raising animals on this local level presents few challenges but yields limited quantities of by-products. Alternatively, larger herds can produce large quantities of dairy or wool but they must regularly move to ensure sufficient pasturage, require the landholder’s permissions for extended grazing, and need specialized management. Here we combine various forms of evidence to argue that shep-herd relationships were equally complex and dynamic in antiquity. This integrated approach contributes to the growing literature on ancient human-animal relationships.