Category Archives: Sheep

New Farrier Day

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We were very busy this morning.  There was much to do and get ready.

We had our new farrier coming.

First, I got the old horses and ponies back home from their field across the hill by leading Haakon with all the rest following like the good horses and ponies they are.  Breakfast buckets were waiting as the incentive.

The two old ladies were hidden around the corner so, for once, they could eat a peaceful breakfast.

The sheep didn’t need asking twice to go into their field.  They ran past the horses and ponies (Lambie had his eyes closed) just wanting to stay out of this.

While we waited for the farrier, I let the old ones mooch around eating grass by the house.

Jay was pleasantly early, which I took as a good sign.

Pepper was her usual helpful self – getting in the way over and over again. Next time I might put her in the house.  She was beyond annoying.

Some horses didn’t get trimmed because they didn’t need it and, at one stage, a friend arrived so I threw Haakon’s rope over his neck, left him telling him not to move and to be a good boy for me (Haakon, not the farrier!)

I asked Jay to give me his opinion on each horse and pony as there are times when I honestly wonder if what I am doing is right.

He said no one was fat, all looked good, and best of all absolutely no sign of laminitis.  Newt was the fattest, condition-wise, and Haakon and Iacs were an ok weight coming into spring/summer.

He also commented that everyone was very calm and easy to work.

So I am feeling much happier and thinking this is the way to go.

Capturing our Inner Derp

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I know life here can look all glitz and glam, but believe me when I say it isn’t.  We are not The Beautiful People all the time.  No, honestly, we aren’t. I realise that’s difficult to believe.

Anyway, for every good photo, there are many that just don’t quite capture the moment.

I think Iacs is particularly good at finding his Inner Derp. It’s his skill.

Obviously there are no bad photos of Haakon. I couldn’t take one even if I tried.

↓ ↓ ↓ still Iacs ↓ ↓ ↓

Kolka is a close second.  She loves making faces the minute she sees me and my camera.

Pepper also  has moments of true revoltingness – the tideline of mud and the thing she is sniffing/thrown up. I refuse to investigate and I don’t want to know.

‘Ster is good value too on the derp front.

It is Monster obviously who gets the prize.

Sometimes I think my animal-family is revolting in their own unique way.  All except for Haakon.  Like I said, he is perfect, of course.

And possibly Lambie (because I am being kind as it was his birthday). Dear little boy.

11 Today!

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Happy birthday to Lambie.  Today he is 11 years old.

Lambie was born prematurely in a filthy storm during the night and found, along with his twin sister in the field, having been abandoned by their mother, who wanted little to do with them. She had no milk and was not well either.

Things were not great to start with. Lambie’s sister promptly died and then his mother.  Lambie was bottle fed, which he did very badly and unenthusiastically.  Then he got joint ill and couldn’t walk.  I fashioned a small coat to keep him warm out of a sock (and, yes, I still have it!). There were numerous vet visits and injections.  He was very good about everything. A dear little chap.

Lambie had two mothers – our wee dog, BeAnne Duvet who he adored.

And me, who he tolerated.

To begin with, Lambie lived under the stairs in the kitchen and had regular bottles which he hated and drank very little from.

He was part of the family and my neighbour, who babysat him when I went to town for supplies, managed to house-train him, which was quite the achievement.  There was also the prescribed physiotherapy to get him walking as the joint ill took its toll and did much damage – he has awful arthritis.

Lambie obviously moved out of our house when we brought him ‘Bert to be his bestie and then ‘Ster and then others……

So, happy birthday to Lambie.  How he got to this great age, I will never know.  It has been uphill all the way.

 

 

I Have No Dog

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It started well.  Bored of no one returning my phone calls, I decided to get some fresh air and set off over the hill with Pepper by my side to take some nice photos of the old horses and ponies, while they are still in their winter coats.

Pepper was all nice and clean(ish) for her too.

En route I took a few pics of Gussie and Dahlia who were around.

And also saw my first Common Butterwort (or it is a dog violet – anyone?) of Spring and that was more evidence to validate my claim that spring is really here.

Anywho, the girls were unavailable for photographs.

So I concentrated on the Icelandic horses.

After I topped up their water and threw everyone some carrots, I called up Pepper and went back home, but she never appeared.  So, I shouted and eventually a small Bog Creature came racing home.

Ugh.

Even Dahlia was appalled.

My little clean dog is not so clean anymore.

Pepper knew and I knew she needed a bath and, to be fair, she was very good about it.  A one-man bath is never easy and my back is fairly screaming at me.

But now Pepper is feeling hard done by and a bit put upon.  My heart is hardened. Tough.  If you can’t do the time, don’t do the crime!

Still, the photos came out well.

*** snigger ***

Glorious Spring Day

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It’s been a glorious spring day.  Seeing the sun shine and beautiful blue sky really lifted my spirits. I think we can all agree, it has been a long difficult winter and it is a good feeling to be finally coming out of it.

The dogs and I all appreciated the fine weather as we went on our daily walk around the fields.

I saw my very first “Blugga flooer” (marsh marigold or kingcup) and soon the wet bits in my fields will be carpeted in them. They are quite a determined plant here and no one seems to eat them.

As I wanted to make the most of the sunshine, I went into the sheep’s field to sit down on a rock.  Pepper immediately jumped on my lap and Gussie wandered up for a chat.

It must be coming up to Gussie’s birthday too (well, in fact everyone’s birthdays).  The only date I actually know is Lambie’s.  Gussie is 2 years old now and probably the biggest sheep we have.  Not fat, just tall. There is a lot of Gussie.

He is one big sheep and for a sheep born on the hill, he is the tamest.

And when I went inside, I got shouted at. Monster could’ve come too, I told him.  Maybe next time.