Horsey stuff

Three weeks ago, just after Easter, Rachel had appendicitis and spent two days in hospital, undergoing keyhole surgery. She was quite poorly for a few days and is not allowed to ride horses for a minimum of four weeks. I have, therefore, been given the delightful task of getting Fizz fit as well as Sonny, and the dubious pleasure of competing the Riding Club One Day Event on him. I asked if we could do novice but she said 'No' so we are having to do intermediate - 2'9" jumps and I haven't jumped Fizz for about three years!
First thing was he had to go on a radical diet as his belly was so big it pushed his saddle forward so I felt like I was sitting on his neck - his haylage is now all measured out - evry last little bit and I dont feel sorry for him like Rachel does!! He looks a lot better already but needs to lose about 50 kilos to be event fit, so we are doing endurance training and lots of stretching exercises.
both horses are doing the Riding Club Dressage to Music class at the end of May, so we have also been working out suitable music and a routine for that - it is quite addictive, but Kev doesn't rate my singing along out loud to my i-pod, he thinks I want locked up.

Jazz and her boys, Rock and Roll

Jazz is one of the four Jacob gimmers we bought last September. They have all four had black lambs, and Jazz had twins. They were very weak at first but Rachel and I gave Jazz a radical haircut to show the way clearly to the milk! After a couple of days of special care, they were soon bouncing around as befits their names.

Meet Splinty

Splinty was born very early on Saturday morning 2 weeks ago - it was a very difficult birth as both her legs were back, meaning that they were still tucked back inside the womb whilst her head was well on its way out. I managed to manipulate one leg forward and fortunately the other was totally straight back and not bent, so I was able to pull her out as there was no room to get the other leg forward. Her head was quite swollen for a few hours due to the pressure she had been under, but she recovered well and was soon up and sucking. It became apparent quite soon though, that her legs were slightly twisted and also she was knuckled over on her fetlocks. Often in mild cases this will correct itself but this was too much, so off she went to the vets on Monday morning for a check up and on went the splints. She is actually very nimble on them, and can do all sorts of spring lamb stuff, and even seems quite proud of them! Her mum, Cassie, loves her very much despite the fact that she is definitely different!

Jill's babies

Sprite and Jill

Sprite is a herdwick who is 4yrs old and was hand reared by Rachel. The first time she lambed she loved her lamb but definitely did not want him to suckle her so she had to be very closely monitored. Last year she was fine just having one lamb, all by herself, Lilt. This year however, she has had twins, Dandelion and Burdock, and much as she loves them both only Burdock is allowed to suckle any time he likes - Dandelion is kept at arms length. She seemed to come round a little and acceptm her, but after a few days in the field, Dandelion was looking more than a little hungry last night. So, back in they all came, and Sprite is now in the Dancing Gate version of sheep borstal - a fairly small pen where she can not get away too easily, and she is handheld too, three times a day - she will rear BOTH lambs and lump it!

Guess she wouldn't fancy being Jill, another herdwick, who has triplets, but who cares for them all beautifully.