I missed somewhere that you raise sheep too- what kind? I used to have a pair of Shetlands that I just adored, had the nicest fleeces for handspinning!
We have Katahdins, Blackbelly Barbados, and one Welsh Mountain that someone just gave us. Katahdin lambs Maisie with her flock muddy
I do love Sheep.They are just a beautiful animal .I do love to see dogs at work doing their job .Maisie is a beautiful animal.
I was so taken with the sheep, I immediately put their pictures in the archives and neglected to say how much I enjoyed looked at the pictures. It is hard to believe that a little doggie can make an entire herd of sheep do what they are supposed to do. Thanks for the photos
I don't know much about sheep, but here in the Southwest folks often have a goat in with the horses as it seems to have a calming effect on the horses. Usually what I have seen is a big Nubian nanny. When we got Susie, she had been stablemate to some horses. dr
You raise them for meat, then? Just thinking of the hair-sheep. My lambs were more like really good dogs who didn't tear things up! They respond so well when you just need to hug a critter and scritch a nose. The Shetlands were dramatically more intelligent than, say, the romneys I used to have. Hadn't realized your place is so big, how on earth do you find time to be a gardener with all the hooves you have to trim?!? You really are a fantastic photographer too, you capture great moments with your animals. Thanks for posting these! M.
Mary and Jan, a few of our sheep are old wethers that will live out their days on this farm. As there is not a huge market for wool we have gone with the hair sheep. I am a carnivore and make no apologies for it. But I respect all livestock and would rather eat something that I know was handled with decency than something off the supermarket shelf. When one price shops for any meat one can assume that corners were cut to achieve that lower price. The animal is the one that pays the difference. Supermarket labels don't always mean what you think they mean. For example, the only requirement to get the "free range" label on a carton of eggs is that a cage door remain open for X amount of time during the day. The bird may never leave her cramped quarters because she is not used to it. Natural pork. I asked the butcher in the store what it meant. It only means that nothing was done to the meat after it was cut. Lanolin, which is a product from wool sheep, is in so many everyday items that it would be difficult for someone to be a perfect vegan. Just think what keeps the rubber in your tires from cracking. I really try my best to give all animals on my farm humane treatment. When my dogs train on the sheep for sheepdog trials or just do the chores they are to respect the sheep as well. To a see a good dog stand up to an agressive ewe and yet be so gentle with the little lambs just brings tears to my eyes. Thanks for the compliments on the pictures. Maisie is the little dog that got a tumor in her throat in June. I tried having a surgeon remove it but there was too much. She was euthanised and I was so devastated. DR, I will try to post a picture of Dopey our beloved goat. The horses are pretty laid back in general but Bob can not be surprised from behind without some reaction. It is his nature. muddy
