Mr F meets Shaun the sheep

The nights are getting more and more chilly and I am very pleased that I found that change over rug. The added liner at the top keeps 'Mr F's back / hip snug and warm as the temperatures drop to about 8 degrees at night.  It'll help him keep his joints mobile.

'Mr F' and 'Polly'

They are pleased with the added haylage feed. I am glad we have access to haylage all year round. It is much better for 'Mr F's digestive system; rather than either just grass or just haylage. The way the fields are managed here at 'Hill Farm' they will probably have some grass all year round too. So it is always both, grass and haylage, just the balance will vary depending on season.

There are a few sheep in the field with 'Mr F' and 'Polly'. All the fields are looked after really well and there is mixed grazing. Thistles are cut regularly too and having different animals graze the pastures means that different grasses are eaten. I do pick poo btw, especially while its still warm. For many reasons really, such as keeping the pasture clean because they don't eat grass that has grown on or around horse droppings. The sheep however will. But removing poo also reduces the number of flies.

I mentioned sheep earlier: it turns out that one of these sheep is a pet sheep and used to feeding. I found out later. I always have my breakfast with 'Mr F' in the field, he has got his and I have a bowl of Weetabix with honey and Soya milk. I have been eating my breakfast with 'Mr F' for years now, again it's an opportunity for observation: does he chew alright, has he got appetite or is he just pushing it around in the bucket, etc etc. But most of all: it is a very peaceful way to start the day.

For a couple of mornings now I noticed that the small group of sheep in 'Mr F's and 'Polly's field was coming closer and closer in the mornings while we have breakfast. And today, much to my amusement, one sheep was brave enough to attempt to get some of 'Mr F's food. Little does it know that apart from 'Luke' (sometimes, see much earlier posts) no other horse was EVER allowed to eat out of his bowl until 'Mr F' deemed it  to be finished. 

This sheep was approaching us as though it had been doing this every day, leaving both me and 'Mr F' rather perplex at first. When 'Mr F' realised what the sheep was after he was having none of it. So the sheep then walks to the other side of him, right in front of his nose and tries again. 'Mr F' now not impressed and makes sure that 'Shaun' gets the message. For a moment it contemplates passing to the other side via shortcut under 'Mr F's belly but then reconsiders and goes the long way, only to give it yet another try. Looking at 'Mr F's body language, which was everything but inviting, 'Shaun' decided it be best to wait for an opportunity, much in the same way as 'Polly' does. There they were, both standing on either side of 'Mr F', waiting patiently until he had finished. I left it up to 'Polly' to sort out who gets the scraps out of 'Mr F's bowl.

It has been quite wet lately, luckily never for long but the ground is now getting muddy in those spots where they like to stand. I have to  where tc change where to hang up the hay nets with their feed so they don't turn up the ground too much. It's not use standing in deep mud for prolonged times. So far 'Mr F' is still content with his lot even though he's had to endure the odd stormy and wet night outside. He does of course have several rugs so he has protection against the elements. But its just not quite the same as a dry, sheltered stable. Soon ....

'Mr F' and 'Polly' enjoying warm-ish sunshine