Measuring executive function in sheep (Ovis aries) using visual stimuli in a semi-automated operant system

•A novel version of the IDED task for evaluating executive function in sheep is evaluated.•The method has improved flexibility, throughput and translatability compared to other methods.•Sheep performed the task with the range of abilities expected from an outbred population.•It will be particularly useful for testing sheep models of disease where cognitive decline occurs.