Any strangers “lurking” around the horse pastures are watched very carefully….not quite sure just what I would do if there was bad intent Gimpy (me) and Gimpier (Greg)… but Bran the Border Collie does. A vehicle that’s engine drops to idle speed 100 yards away arouses his interest. Unfortunately the dog’s defensive behaviour is not discriminatory, if said engine happens to stop, an egg customer arrives at the farm or a hapless walker just happens to pass the gate, Bran the Border Collie will go into “I’m a puppy dog in big bad wolf clothing” and all we will see is a black and white blur and a frenzied wagging tail racing for the fence line. On Sunday I noticed Alice ( not the sheep with the speckled nose) standing wistfully by Charm the golden palomino’s gate. Bran alerted us…..and the whole valley ! We, busily brushing horses (trying to find the horse under the mud !!) in the stalls heard the canine commotion and a quick check over Lady’s broad back saw her beckoning the horses from the road. It took seconds to establish that her intent was not malicious….quite the opposite and young Alice was invited onto the ranch to meet “the family”. I’m quite sure that these past days have created memories that the horse loving young lady will never forget. In the goat pen Alice giggles at our lively bouncing kids, in the cow barn she cuddles with Misty the Jersey heifer and obligingly scratches (obligatory) Daisy May’s back. “Oooohs” for our giant Shire gelding Quest and “Ahhhs” for gentle giant Lady. We have enjoyed your excitement Alice and your enthusiasm…..we are glad you happened to pass by.
Last night ( just as we were about ready to end a long day!) Chance our big white ewe opened the lambing flood gate and a seemingly effortless labour resulted in two tiny black and white lambs. From a vantage point on top of the hay pile I watched as all the other ewes silently left the stall leaving the heaving ewe all alone for the birthing process. Throughout the whole procedure, there wasn’t a sound. The other heavily pregnant ewes waited in little groups patiently out in the rain. As twin number two fell into the straw, the waiting ewes quietly filed back into the stall but kept a respectful distance from Chance the new mom.
Only another 11 to go !!!
Time to go and check on all our babies, take care, keep safe. M
Last night ( just as we were about ready to end a long day!) Chance our big white ewe opened the lambing flood gate and a seemingly effortless labour resulted in two tiny black and white lambs. From a vantage point on top of the hay pile I watched as all the other ewes silently left the stall leaving the heaving ewe all alone for the birthing process. Throughout the whole procedure, there wasn’t a sound. The other heavily pregnant ewes waited in little groups patiently out in the rain. As twin number two fell into the straw, the waiting ewes quietly filed back into the stall but kept a respectful distance from Chance the new mom.
Only another 11 to go !!!
Time to go and check on all our babies, take care, keep safe. M
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