December 24th
Merry Christmas to you all.
Where did the last couple of months go? We seemed to have been on the go non stop, yet nothing very exciting has happened.
Due to the shortage of winter forage we have had to cut down on stock, so sadly some of the older cattle had to go and this included our home bred South Devon Bull Lenny, he was getting on in years and struggled a bit, getting about in the yard in the winter, and each year we thought it might be his last, but when turn out time came he would come out of the yard bucking !! Some of the young cattle went off to market, and the two liveries who arrived in October are no longer here, their owner decided to have them put down before the Winter set in, all rather upsetting, as it all happened during the same week.
Megan is now weaned and is growing into a pleasant little person, she's very well behaved considering how little I am able to do with her. She leads nicely and enjoys a groom. I think she would prefer to have some playmates her own age but Katy is doing a good job baby sitting her. Fingers crossed Katy and Rosie are in foal for next year, but as I didn't want Katy stringing me along like she did this year, I purchased an equine pregnancy test kit, only problem, getting a urine sample, she likes to pee when I'm mixing up the feeds, and I can't be in two places at once, she thinks it very funny!!
Merry Christmas to you all.
Where did the last couple of months go? We seemed to have been on the go non stop, yet nothing very exciting has happened.
Due to the shortage of winter forage we have had to cut down on stock, so sadly some of the older cattle had to go and this included our home bred South Devon Bull Lenny, he was getting on in years and struggled a bit, getting about in the yard in the winter, and each year we thought it might be his last, but when turn out time came he would come out of the yard bucking !! Some of the young cattle went off to market, and the two liveries who arrived in October are no longer here, their owner decided to have them put down before the Winter set in, all rather upsetting, as it all happened during the same week.
Megan is now weaned and is growing into a pleasant little person, she's very well behaved considering how little I am able to do with her. She leads nicely and enjoys a groom. I think she would prefer to have some playmates her own age but Katy is doing a good job baby sitting her. Fingers crossed Katy and Rosie are in foal for next year, but as I didn't want Katy stringing me along like she did this year, I purchased an equine pregnancy test kit, only problem, getting a urine sample, she likes to pee when I'm mixing up the feeds, and I can't be in two places at once, she thinks it very funny!!
Melrose has found a new home, and I hear she is settling in well and is being got fit again after having her foal while staying with Lynette.
Austen who went to Denmark earlier on this year seems to have found a lovely home, and went and did his bit for the breed at a show recently, I hear he caused a bit of interest, I don't think it all went quite to plan, but he was well liked and hopefully will be shown more next year.
Austen who went to Denmark earlier on this year seems to have found a lovely home, and went and did his bit for the breed at a show recently, I hear he caused a bit of interest, I don't think it all went quite to plan, but he was well liked and hopefully will be shown more next year.
Well I think that's about all the news for now, thank you to any one who has sent me a Christmas card with all your news, I love to hear how my ponies are doing in their new homes.
Have a good 2019 and keep the Dales flag flying.
Have a good 2019 and keep the Dales flag flying.
October26th
Time is flying past, there's a nip in the air so Winter is not far away, last week we were dressed for Summer!
John managed to get some late silage made, grass rather short and sudden heavy rain means it is rather muddy, let's hope it keeps alright, cows were very interested, eagerly awaiting a free sample!!
We have just passed out annual TB test, so now we can sell a few youngsters to get the numbers down before the Winter.
Time is flying past, there's a nip in the air so Winter is not far away, last week we were dressed for Summer!
John managed to get some late silage made, grass rather short and sudden heavy rain means it is rather muddy, let's hope it keeps alright, cows were very interested, eagerly awaiting a free sample!!
We have just passed out annual TB test, so now we can sell a few youngsters to get the numbers down before the Winter.
Megan is growing fast, it will be weaning time soon, I think Rosie will be glad of the break, Aunty Katy still helps out and keeps her amused. Hopefully Megan will find a new home where she can enjoy lots of things to do, considering how little I have been able to do with her, she is really quite well behaved. She leads well for John to her field, loves being groomed and having a fuss made of her. She had her feet trimmed for the first time recently, she put up a fight but soon relented and was not too bad. While one of the lads did mum's feet, Chris my farrier, had a play with her, making her stand while being tied up, again a bit of a fight but soon gave in, so I think she will be quite easy to educate.
Next comes the vetting for her passport, micro chip and tetanus jab and then she will be looking for a new person of her own. Much as I would love to keep her, I think it's best for her to find a new home as I'm still not really fit enough to do all the things she should be doing.
Here she is all grown up in her smart new black coat, foal fluff all gone.
Next comes the vetting for her passport, micro chip and tetanus jab and then she will be looking for a new person of her own. Much as I would love to keep her, I think it's best for her to find a new home as I'm still not really fit enough to do all the things she should be doing.
Here she is all grown up in her smart new black coat, foal fluff all gone.
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" Hey Mirry, who's that in our field? " " Don't know David, but there's another one over there by Heiko" " They're not the usual hairy black things, still as long as they don't scoff all the grass and leave us alone, guess it's ok!"
" Hey Mirry, who's that in our field? " " Don't know David, but there's another one over there by Heiko" " They're not the usual hairy black things, still as long as they don't scoff all the grass and leave us alone, guess it's ok!"
Yes, we have two visitors staying at the moment, their owner has recently moved into the area and her elderly pony and cob are lodging here for a while. They all seem to enjoying the Autumn sunshine.
Melrose, who has been staying with Lynette in Royal Wotten Bassett, will be having her foal weaned soon and is up for sale, I think there are several people interested, so I hope she finds a smashing home before the end of November when, if not sold she will have to come back here. That, she will find very boring after all the things she has been doing with Lynette, as I have no one to ride her and she will just be turned out and that would a terrible waste.
More details on my ' For Sale' page.
Melrose, who has been staying with Lynette in Royal Wotten Bassett, will be having her foal weaned soon and is up for sale, I think there are several people interested, so I hope she finds a smashing home before the end of November when, if not sold she will have to come back here. That, she will find very boring after all the things she has been doing with Lynette, as I have no one to ride her and she will just be turned out and that would a terrible waste.
More details on my ' For Sale' page.
August 26th
Well the rain is here, been pouring down for a while, so our grass is really growing again, fingers crossed for a second cut of silage soon. The streams are flowing again and our spring is over flowing, so the water shortage is over and life is a lot easier now we can use tap water for animals rather than pumping it out of the old well. It is also very cold, poor Megan came in from the field this morning soaking wet and shivering all over, she was very well behaved and let me scrape off the water, cover her in a towel and rub other bits dry. She's growing up fast, loves a gallop round the field, still shares her time with mum Rosie and Aunty Katy, I suppose it won't be that long before weaning time, doesn't seem possible that nearly a year has passed since weaning brother Austen.
We had a visit from our neighbours in Sussex, always very welcome as they get stuck into jobs around the farm, which is a great help for John. This time cattle sheds were cleared out, and lots of tree clearing and log splitting, so we will not go cold next Winter, and team effort saw June (2legs) horsebox container moved from the front yard while it awaits a vehicle to sit on! We also managed to persuade Veronica to take time out and along with June, we went to see how the Elan Valley reservoirs were coping with the lack of rain, the water was the lowest I have ever seen.
Veronica had also entered her dogs for a show on the Royal Welsh showground, a new experience for me, I'm used to horse shows!. It was massive, never seen so many different dogs, and that was just one day of three.
June (4legs) seems to have got herself an admirer. The young cattle and Jersey cows have been sharing June and Susie's field, to try and keep the grass down and Heiko a young steer has, become very attached to June. He spent a lot of time with her, licking her and just being close, June seems to quite like the attention, makes a change from Susie I suppose, and Susie just keeps her distance! Cattle have now moved on to another field, so back to June tolerating Susie.
August 8th
Wales is turning green again, we have had a little rain, enough for the grass to stop dying, but not enough for any real growth, fingers crossed for more. It was a busy time when the Royal Welsh show was on, as usual the whole area fills with visitors. We had the caravan booked and a very well behaved driving pony staying, his owner had not competed at the show before and was delighted with her fourth prize.
Straight after the show, we had a quick visit from Becky and family from Sussex. The children were keen to ride which was a bit of a problem as June is still having hoof problems, ( she's on the mend) and poor Susie is really struggling with her breathing, due mainly I hope, to the hot, dry conditions, the only sound pony was Katy and she'd not been ridden for months, if not years!!
Anyway Katy is always up for anything, so she was tacked up and taken out to the arena, where it promptly started to pour with RAIN!!!!! so it was back to the stables.The second attempt went better, Becky rode first and it was if Katy had been ridden yesterday, she was so good, both Jakey and Lila had a turn and then she even took Dom, who is 6ft and never sat on a horse before, for a turn round the arena.
Anyway Katy is always up for anything, so she was tacked up and taken out to the arena, where it promptly started to pour with RAIN!!!!! so it was back to the stables.The second attempt went better, Becky rode first and it was if Katy had been ridden yesterday, she was so good, both Jakey and Lila had a turn and then she even took Dom, who is 6ft and never sat on a horse before, for a turn round the arena.
In fact, I was very proud of my Dales. Katy gave her pony rides, even though she hadn't been ridden for ages, as she had been pretending to be in foal. I have forgiven her and we are trying again for next year, ( she will be tested later in the year, no more stud mix for her, unless I know she needs it ! ) and how many stallions would stand quietly letting little children groom them, soon after covering his mares? Laddie was so good, I think he was pleased to have the fuss.
I think everyone enjoyed their mini break, the animals all loved the attention, even the Rambo the ram didn't miss out on the hugs, Norman dog was also popular and Mo the Jersey cow had her share of the attention.
John had lots of help from Jakey and we ended the visit with splendid meal at the pub, see you all again next year I hope.
Megan is growing fast, she's got over her shyness and is very friendly now, she loves Katy, who is often left to babysit her while mum goes off searching for grass in a rather bald field. Hopefully Rosie is back in foal for next year.
Megan is growing fast, she's got over her shyness and is very friendly now, she loves Katy, who is often left to babysit her while mum goes off searching for grass in a rather bald field. Hopefully Rosie is back in foal for next year.
July 13th
The green green grass of Wales has gone brown!! The good news is that with all that heat and dry weather we have made some lovely hay, the bad news is... were feeding it already, the cows have nothing in their fields and while we were out one day, the sheep decided the grass was greener in the ponies field, we wondered how they had got in and then found the water in the stream is so low they could just walk along the bed of the stream and under the fence, luckily June and Susie are on a strict diet so I was happy for the sheep to share their grass, but that has all gone now.
The green green grass of Wales has gone brown!! The good news is that with all that heat and dry weather we have made some lovely hay, the bad news is... were feeding it already, the cows have nothing in their fields and while we were out one day, the sheep decided the grass was greener in the ponies field, we wondered how they had got in and then found the water in the stream is so low they could just walk along the bed of the stream and under the fence, luckily June and Susie are on a strict diet so I was happy for the sheep to share their grass, but that has all gone now.
Susie is not too well at the moment due to all the dust her breathing is very wheezy, and she has a good cough, and now she has pulled a front fetlock. Because the sheep have destroyed the electric fencing which stops the ponies getting to the wire sheep fencing, I suspect she has stuck her leg through the fence while scrounging grass from under the hedge, poor Susie I don't remember her ever being ill or in pain before and she is not handling it very well.
Laddie's field has completely dried up with no grass, so he has come back in for a few weeks, to cover mares and if it rains, to let the grass grow again. Katy is not in foal but both she and Rosie will be covered for next year and I will be getting them pregnancy tested later in the year, so Katy will not be getting extra rations next Winter unless she is in foal.
Trying to keep the ponies cool in this heat has not been easy and on the worst days I have used a fan to blow air around in the barn, but in the end our need was greater and it was needed indoors to keep our bedroom cool at night!
Trying to keep the ponies cool in this heat has not been easy and on the worst days I have used a fan to blow air around in the barn, but in the end our need was greater and it was needed indoors to keep our bedroom cool at night!
This is another fun way to keep cool, Akehurst Black Storm ( Joe ) with his owner Karen Lawson enjoying themselves on West Wittering beach
Guess what It's started to rain
June17th
Austen arrived safe and sound at his new home in Denmark, last Friday, much to every ones relief. The transport firm took great care of him, he was very young to undergo such a journey. He has been introduced to his new horse friends, which went well, luckily he knows when to respect his elders, thanks to Susie, and keeps out of the way of the elder mare. I'm sure they will all get along well, and it will be nice for him to start learning more about life, he has been a bit neglected in that respect due to my health problems.
Good luck Austen.
Austen arrived safe and sound at his new home in Denmark, last Friday, much to every ones relief. The transport firm took great care of him, he was very young to undergo such a journey. He has been introduced to his new horse friends, which went well, luckily he knows when to respect his elders, thanks to Susie, and keeps out of the way of the elder mare. I'm sure they will all get along well, and it will be nice for him to start learning more about life, he has been a bit neglected in that respect due to my health problems.
Good luck Austen.
At last I am making progress with Megan. She will let me catch her and although she won't admit it, she loves having her withers scratched, I can fondle her ears and stroke her all over, I wouldn't say she is relaxed about it, but at least I can now handle her without her being terrified, so hopefully it won't, be too long before she can be lead to the field and back.
Katy still hasn't foaled, she's well over three weeks late now, so although one of my mares carried a foal for over a year, it was not good news as the foal was born dead, I am almost certain she has just been having me on to get extra rations. Laddie will be coming back in soon for a short time, so I will try again for next year. Katy just thinks the whole thing is a laugh and is quite happy to foal sit Megan to give Rosie a break.
June 12th
Well what a busy few weeks we have had.
It's been a beautiful day today, not quite so hot and a lovely breeze, hay making and silaging going well, just need to get the hay bales off the field before the storm they say is heading this way tomorrow arrives, hope it does as we really need some rain. I have spent the day raking up the hay left behind by the baler, the cows are desperate to move into the field to clear round the edges as their field is bald so I have delivered a few loads to them and the rest I use to mix with old hay for the ponies, they love the new stuff.
It was just so lovely working in the field with the beautiful Welsh scenery all round, though I can't say peaceful, just about farmer round here was out on their tractors, including John who was rowing up silage in one of the lower fields, I just had to these photos, even had a visit from a Red Kite.
Well what a busy few weeks we have had.
It's been a beautiful day today, not quite so hot and a lovely breeze, hay making and silaging going well, just need to get the hay bales off the field before the storm they say is heading this way tomorrow arrives, hope it does as we really need some rain. I have spent the day raking up the hay left behind by the baler, the cows are desperate to move into the field to clear round the edges as their field is bald so I have delivered a few loads to them and the rest I use to mix with old hay for the ponies, they love the new stuff.
It was just so lovely working in the field with the beautiful Welsh scenery all round, though I can't say peaceful, just about farmer round here was out on their tractors, including John who was rowing up silage in one of the lower fields, I just had to these photos, even had a visit from a Red Kite.
June 11th
After a couple of weeks of emails, phone calls and lots of photos, this morning Austen started his long journey to his new home in Denmark. He has really grown up recently, and has enjoyed all the extra fuss I have been giving him. He has been getting on well with June, and Susie tolerated him, as long as he kept in his rightful place, out of her way!! He has grown a lot recently and with his summer coat nearly through, he's quite a handsome chappie. |
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Austen was amazingly good to load considering he had never done anything like it before. As usual, he had to have a good look at the problem, check it out, make sure it was safe and then go for it!! He has several stopovers before he reaches his new home on Friday, a long way for a young lad to travel but he is in good hands and I'm sure the transporters will take good care of him. I will be glad to hear that he has arrived safely though. When I turned the girls back out in the field, June wandered off unconcerned, but Susie stood by the gate, staring at the buildings calling for him, strange pony that one!! No one to swear at now!!
A couple of weeks ago John and I took time off to visit Lynette, who has several Akehurst Dales, one of which is Melrose, who is on loan. In return for backing Mel and taking her out and about, she has bred a foal, which is hers to keep.
Merlin arrived safe and sound, he had a few problems sorting out the milk bar and after a worrying two days for Lynette all came right and due to being handled so much in the first few hours after his birth, he is a very friendly chap. We were able to pick up some much needed hay while at Lynette's so it made the long trip doubly worthwhile.
My foal Megan is still very worried about me, but now Austen has gone I hope to have more time to spend on her. I was just starting to gain he confidence when I found her slightly lame, as there was no sign of swelling or injury, I didn't have any choice but to catch hold of her to check her hoof. This involved her throwing herself to the ground and being totally stupid, so now she KNOWS I'm the nasty wicked witch!!! So I'm back to square one, though she did show some interest in me out in the field, and no, that's not Katy with her foal, she just borrowed Megan to make it look good, have to try again for next year.
May 28th
Oh dear, where has the time gone? I can't believe it's nearly June.
At least we do seem to be having some warmer weather, so perhaps Summer is here, not sure when Spring was though it seems to have missed us out. After all the snow and then rain, the fields are in a pretty poor state, but grass is just about growing and ponies, cows and sheep are able to go out, which is good because we have no silage left and hardly any hay, and very little to be bought round here either.
Rosie has now foaled, a filly, born Royal Wedding weekend , so you've guessed it, her stable name is Megan. Katy is supposed to be in foal but at the moment she is a week late and not really showing any definite signs, so think she might be having me on! She had been looking after Austen but just in case she is in foal, she now goes out with Rosie and Megan, perhaps she will get all maternal!
Oh dear, where has the time gone? I can't believe it's nearly June.
At least we do seem to be having some warmer weather, so perhaps Summer is here, not sure when Spring was though it seems to have missed us out. After all the snow and then rain, the fields are in a pretty poor state, but grass is just about growing and ponies, cows and sheep are able to go out, which is good because we have no silage left and hardly any hay, and very little to be bought round here either.
Rosie has now foaled, a filly, born Royal Wedding weekend , so you've guessed it, her stable name is Megan. Katy is supposed to be in foal but at the moment she is a week late and not really showing any definite signs, so think she might be having me on! She had been looking after Austen but just in case she is in foal, she now goes out with Rosie and Megan, perhaps she will get all maternal!
Megan is a very lively foal, but very nervy and it's taking a long time to win her confidence, doesn't help I have a nasty cough at the moment, so she thinks that very scarey! Her first reaction is to kick out at anything she is not sure of, she even had a go at Katy, who very gently let her know that was not the way to behave. I spend a lot of time sitting with her in the pen and we play with a big plastic ball, she is used to it knocking against her legs, so the kicking is getting less and I can now scratch her bum with the ball between us for safety.
Austen is growing on well, since Katy now lives with Rosie, he has been introduced to June and Susie, neither of them were very pleased to be given the job of yearling sitting and were very mean to him at first. I was worried he might get hurt, but he soon learnt to keep out of their way and now June seems to be being a bit more friendly towards him. I haven't been able to do very much with him, as my back has been very bad but he is a kindly soul and enjoys a good grooming and any attention he gets.
March 6th
Wow, what fun the ' Beast from the East was' the ponies loved it, ground frozen and in most places covered in deep snow ( other places nothing) they were able to go out in the field, roll, frisk and gallop, and all their mud from the past weeks was cleaned away by the snow. Luverly!!
That's the ponies side of things, in reality, for everyone else, animals and human, NIGHTMARE.
Wow, what fun the ' Beast from the East was' the ponies loved it, ground frozen and in most places covered in deep snow ( other places nothing) they were able to go out in the field, roll, frisk and gallop, and all their mud from the past weeks was cleaned away by the snow. Luverly!!
That's the ponies side of things, in reality, for everyone else, animals and human, NIGHTMARE.
Our drive
The snow filled the drive up level with the hedges on either side, yet in some places there was nothing, the strong winds just blew it into drifts. The buildings filled with snow, so just as lambing started the sheep had no dry or sheltered areas, we hung all my horse rugs over hurdles and had heat lamps and little rugs to keep the new born lambs warm.
The snow filled the drive up level with the hedges on either side, yet in some places there was nothing, the strong winds just blew it into drifts. The buildings filled with snow, so just as lambing started the sheep had no dry or sheltered areas, we hung all my horse rugs over hurdles and had heat lamps and little rugs to keep the new born lambs warm.
With all the water pipes frozen in the sheds, the nearest water was the utility room, and it was taking John and me
( and I'm not good carrying full buckets) well over two hours, several times a day just to keep the animals watered, as fast as we poured it into the cattle trough, Lenny the bull gulped it down!! Then, on the second day our wonderful neighbours came to the rescue, Val, who lives next door and Alan and Helen from the Red Lion pub, at the top of our drive, turned up first thing in the morning to lend a hand and after filling all tanks and animals to capacity, left us with full buckets, well placed around the buildings, for the next session. The next morning Val and her son Tom, had arrived even before I got out there, and by the next morning we had managed to thaw out several lengths of hosepipe, so we could reach the furthest tanks. THANK YOU ALL SO MUCH.
John tried to clear the drive with our little tractor and bucket but as fast as he moved the snow, it blew straight back. Once the wind had died down, another neighbour, Roy, who we share the top of the drive with, and has a much bigger tractor and bucket, after clearing his part of the drive, carried on and cleared it down to our farm, so once again a HUGE THANK YOU.
( and I'm not good carrying full buckets) well over two hours, several times a day just to keep the animals watered, as fast as we poured it into the cattle trough, Lenny the bull gulped it down!! Then, on the second day our wonderful neighbours came to the rescue, Val, who lives next door and Alan and Helen from the Red Lion pub, at the top of our drive, turned up first thing in the morning to lend a hand and after filling all tanks and animals to capacity, left us with full buckets, well placed around the buildings, for the next session. The next morning Val and her son Tom, had arrived even before I got out there, and by the next morning we had managed to thaw out several lengths of hosepipe, so we could reach the furthest tanks. THANK YOU ALL SO MUCH.
John tried to clear the drive with our little tractor and bucket but as fast as he moved the snow, it blew straight back. Once the wind had died down, another neighbour, Roy, who we share the top of the drive with, and has a much bigger tractor and bucket, after clearing his part of the drive, carried on and cleared it down to our farm, so once again a HUGE THANK YOU.
Well the thaw has set in now so we have water coming out of taps, and the ponies are once again MUDDY. Lambs are coming thick and fast, so Katy is very busy on lamb patrol, shame we can't fit her up with a 'lamb alarm' so she could call us when a ewe starts lambing, as I'm sure she knows exactly what is going on.
February 21st
Not a lot to report really, just trying to keep ponies happy and exercised, which is a nightmare with the constant wind, rain and snow, but at least I have the arena back in use thanks to John's hard work.
I'm sure everyone must be struggling with the mud this winter, without the arena I've just had to put them out on the fields and the state they came back in, was disgusting, and too cold to keep hosing them off.
Katy, Susie and Austen wearing their mud onesies .
Not a lot to report really, just trying to keep ponies happy and exercised, which is a nightmare with the constant wind, rain and snow, but at least I have the arena back in use thanks to John's hard work.
I'm sure everyone must be struggling with the mud this winter, without the arena I've just had to put them out on the fields and the state they came back in, was disgusting, and too cold to keep hosing them off.
Katy, Susie and Austen wearing their mud onesies .
John made a start a week or so back trying to get the arena fencing upright again, not easy as all the posts are rotten, even the posts on the two sides still standing, they only remained upright because damage in the past meant they already had extra support. After taking advice from Katy and Austen, he did the easier length along the bottom which had fallen into the arena, with new posts in place, he was able to lift the fence with the little tractor.
The long side was more difficult as it had fallen outwards and had to be done in two lengths, all back up now, just needs finishing touches, it will not look as good as it did but at least I can use it again.
When we purchased the arena kit in January 2011, we thought it was wonderful, everything we needed to set up a riding area and then just add topping. Had we realised what poor quality the fencing was going to be, we would have purchased the timber locally. I have been checking and there is no guarantee offered, they say
“ Important: Since conditions of use and location are beyond our control, our products are sold, without guarantee, purchasers must accept responsibility for satisfying themselves that the product is fit for their intended purpose and location before purchase or installation. “!! Other firms offer 15 years and even 25 years guarantee. I was so cross I wrote a rather pointed letter and sent photos of the devastation, I never expected to receive a reply, but in fact they have offered to replace some of the timber posts, so I suppose that's something.
The ponies seem to be glad to be back in there, and enjoyed charging around showing off and not slipping and sliding in mud.
Austen and Katy having fun.
“ Important: Since conditions of use and location are beyond our control, our products are sold, without guarantee, purchasers must accept responsibility for satisfying themselves that the product is fit for their intended purpose and location before purchase or installation. “!! Other firms offer 15 years and even 25 years guarantee. I was so cross I wrote a rather pointed letter and sent photos of the devastation, I never expected to receive a reply, but in fact they have offered to replace some of the timber posts, so I suppose that's something.
The ponies seem to be glad to be back in there, and enjoyed charging around showing off and not slipping and sliding in mud.
Austen and Katy having fun.
June lets her mane down, but Susie prefers a blissful roll!
Just for a change meet our 'Boys'. Rambo, the ram, is eagerly awaiting his many wives to produce his first crop of lambs, any time now. Lenny, the South Devon bull has a couple more girls to calve, and of course Laddie, hopefully will be a dad again in May. I saw movement in Rosie's tum the other day, but Katy is keeping it secret at the moment.
Just for a change meet our 'Boys'. Rambo, the ram, is eagerly awaiting his many wives to produce his first crop of lambs, any time now. Lenny, the South Devon bull has a couple more girls to calve, and of course Laddie, hopefully will be a dad again in May. I saw movement in Rosie's tum the other day, but Katy is keeping it secret at the moment.
January 24th
Rather late to wish everybody ' Happy New Year' but like a lot of you, the weather has been causing us a lot of problems and I never seemed to have had the chance to spend time to get a new page on here, until now.
The snow wasn't too bad, and the ponies enjoyed being able to go out on the fields for a roll and a play. The wind and rain is another matter, our fields are waterlogged, the mud unbelievable, so the ponies have only been able to go for a play in the arena, that is until this happened a few days ago. We awoke after a nights storms to find the fence on two sides of the arena flattened.
So apart from from lunging in the middle, which I am trying not to do, due to my back problems at the moment, the arena is a no go area for the foreseeable future. Great! So there is nothing for it, but to let them onto the fields, they don't mind but I do. Or as a last resort a paddle in the old slurry pit.
Katy wasn't too pleased to find her pen indoors wasn't much better than the field. Austen enjoys a good charge about wherever he is. Mo's calf Puzzle ( because she is marked like a jigsaw) is really cute
Austen is turning into a very friendly young lad, and considering how little I have been able to do with him, he is getting quite well mannered and nice to look after. Sadly I really believe I must think about finding him a new home where he can further his education and do some fun things. See Ponies for sale page.
The cows have calved early this year and I don't think the weather helped there either, several of the calves were very difficult to get to suckle and two didn't survive. Mo, one of our Jersey cows had a lovely calf who is very prettily marked and full of life, so that is one good thing anyway. See photo top of page.