Glad to hear he's now more help than hindrance! It's such a relief when you realise you have got there after all the hard work and training.
Chunky Monkey gang
- Thread starter chunky monkey
- Start date
Well done with Quin. I suppose he is still young - perhaps he'll be less eager in a year or two!
So much work and the weather all over the place. Suze was a hopeless mum, too young, she wanted to go clubbing. She used to have a bemused stare then would remember that she had a foal and wondered where she had left it
First loss. All went out fine yesterday. Went to bring in last night. The usual last lamber was down the field, plus one other. As me and quin walked down to get the pain in the butt the other started making her way up but was making a fair din. Then i note only one lamb. Once we got back up to the yard me noting which ewe but still only one lamb. So lamb hadnt made its way up with other mums and reunited. So i went off round the field in search. But light beat me, so i had to stop looking. Hardly a small lamb given it was the 2nd one to lamb. Everything looks healthy so no concerns that it might drop dead. So now im wondering if someones dog has been in and chased and sent the lamb into the brambles or through the fence. Im going down to feed in a minute and will turn mum and her single lamb out first to see if she gives any indication where it might be. Then I'll walk the field again. But i dont give much hope. Theres just too many places it could hide and Mr Fox will have sniffed it out over night most likely. Will look for crows being active.
So annoying as i felt lambing was doing ok. No matter how hard i try i always loose one or two.
So annoying as i felt lambing was doing ok. No matter how hard i try i always loose one or two.
That’s sad, but it is truly normal with sheep that there are losses isn’t it, definitely not your fault.
Well its not good news but my mind is at rest. Turned the ewe out and she walked all the way down the field with her other lamb calling out as she went. Stopped on the right side half way down the steam. So left it 10 minutes before i walked down she never left the point.
So a quick scoot around and i literally saw it in the stream under a bramble thicket. No idea how it got in there, as i had to pry the brambles apart to get into retrieve it. The stream isnt deep, covers my feet but with all the rain it it flowing fast so could have been washed down stream under the brambles i guess but the weight of the lamb it wouldnt gave travelled far. Saw a couple of scars on the tail but i think bramble scratches.
The ewe didnt go to where she was when i walked down last night, so leaving her out wouldnt have benefited but it was odd she clearly knew this morning exactly where to go.
I walked up and down the stream at least 3 times last night so walked past it.
So a quick scoot around and i literally saw it in the stream under a bramble thicket. No idea how it got in there, as i had to pry the brambles apart to get into retrieve it. The stream isnt deep, covers my feet but with all the rain it it flowing fast so could have been washed down stream under the brambles i guess but the weight of the lamb it wouldnt gave travelled far. Saw a couple of scars on the tail but i think bramble scratches.
The ewe didnt go to where she was when i walked down last night, so leaving her out wouldnt have benefited but it was odd she clearly knew this morning exactly where to go.
I walked up and down the stream at least 3 times last night so walked past it.
Flipin abcesses.
This ones a right stubben abcess. Actually right stubben mum to. Every night we have to walk to the very bottom of the field to get her and her two lambs. Usually after a few days going out with there new borns they learn to come up in the evenings as a flock. Not this madame. She still doesnt get it. Quins not strong enough to go get her on his own, she challenges him. So ive tried scaring her up, calling her, Quins nipped her i dont know how many times on the heels and ankles, gone in at the throat and still she doesnt get it. Her being lame is no excuse either. Because when it suits her she can run, lame or not. By the time we get her up she gets in the shed panting. I tell her everynight, if you stop being dumb and come up with the rest of the flock as they make ther way up, you wouldnt be puffing and panting. Its doing her no favours stressing out. One day she will learn.
Been soaking and spraying everyday and not getting any better yet. This morning the foots swelled and more heat so i think theres another abcess brewing.
Shes starting to loose weight. They naturally will as soon as they lamb as they put into milk. But as shes not standing shes not eating. Shes a first lamber but her udder looks tiny. So it will start to effect her lambs growth soon.
This ones a right stubben abcess. Actually right stubben mum to. Every night we have to walk to the very bottom of the field to get her and her two lambs. Usually after a few days going out with there new borns they learn to come up in the evenings as a flock. Not this madame. She still doesnt get it. Quins not strong enough to go get her on his own, she challenges him. So ive tried scaring her up, calling her, Quins nipped her i dont know how many times on the heels and ankles, gone in at the throat and still she doesnt get it. Her being lame is no excuse either. Because when it suits her she can run, lame or not. By the time we get her up she gets in the shed panting. I tell her everynight, if you stop being dumb and come up with the rest of the flock as they make ther way up, you wouldnt be puffing and panting. Its doing her no favours stressing out. One day she will learn.
Been soaking and spraying everyday and not getting any better yet. This morning the foots swelled and more heat so i think theres another abcess brewing.
Shes starting to loose weight. They naturally will as soon as they lamb as they put into milk. But as shes not standing shes not eating. Shes a first lamber but her udder looks tiny. So it will start to effect her lambs growth soon.
Well ive had the most productive bank holiday weekend. Feeling much more positive about everything now. Onto summer routine earlier than i thought.
Ewes had a pedicure yesterday.
Lambs all tagged today.
Ewes wormed.
Applied fly protection to ewes and lambs.
Move all i could for now down to my neighbours.
Taken out all the lambing pens and put back in storage till next year.
2 in theory left to lamb. Although i think it will only be as i dont think one is in lamb. So there still at home together with the last 2 that lambed. They were a bit young to move so theyll all go to neighbours once all have lambed. 2 to lamb need there pedicure together with the rams but that will be in a few weeks.
Horses got a good groom and walk yesterday. Going out in a minute to walk them today.
Even went out on the bike for and hour with Quin yesterday.
To knackered to bike today but we will go down tonight to check on the ewes with there lambs and Quin will be able to practice on them. Given how much grass theyve gone onto i think it will be good to move them as some sheep will have bloat.
Can now look at taking down all my electric fence paddocks tomorrow or during the week so we can chain harrow the fields. Then i can put it all back up and the cows and horses can move fields.
Its amazing how sometimes everything just all comes together at once. This last couple of weeks ive been over stressed, but right now a huge weight has lifted.
Ewes had a pedicure yesterday.
Lambs all tagged today.
Ewes wormed.
Applied fly protection to ewes and lambs.
Move all i could for now down to my neighbours.
Taken out all the lambing pens and put back in storage till next year.
2 in theory left to lamb. Although i think it will only be as i dont think one is in lamb. So there still at home together with the last 2 that lambed. They were a bit young to move so theyll all go to neighbours once all have lambed. 2 to lamb need there pedicure together with the rams but that will be in a few weeks.
Horses got a good groom and walk yesterday. Going out in a minute to walk them today.
Even went out on the bike for and hour with Quin yesterday.
To knackered to bike today but we will go down tonight to check on the ewes with there lambs and Quin will be able to practice on them. Given how much grass theyve gone onto i think it will be good to move them as some sheep will have bloat.
Can now look at taking down all my electric fence paddocks tomorrow or during the week so we can chain harrow the fields. Then i can put it all back up and the cows and horses can move fields.
Its amazing how sometimes everything just all comes together at once. This last couple of weeks ive been over stressed, but right now a huge weight has lifted.
The weekend just gets better. I have taken out all the fence paddocks this morning. The fields are being chain harrowed right now. Its just started raining so that should help too.
My app says ive done 17,900 steps and its not even 2pm. Im absolutely knackered. I expect DOMs will set in later.
Off course it will take another 17,000 steps to put all the fencing back up.
My app says ive done 17,900 steps and its not even 2pm. Im absolutely knackered. I expect DOMs will set in later.
Off course it will take another 17,000 steps to put all the fencing back up.
Well done you! I love the feeling of accomplishment after a weekend like that, an extra large dinner is well deserved.
No chance of dinner yet. Stuck down in the sheep shed waiting for a massive thunderstorm to pass. Ive got to walk back home and in the 5 minutes it will take i will be soaked. So im hiding in the shed.
Its got even better still. 3rd day in a row taking Billy out. We long reined for the first time in probably 3 years. We made it all the way down the road, up a short stretch of main road, turned off and up to the lime kilns. Back down to the car park and back up the road. Not one call out. Granted a bit forward and panicked a couple of times when the lines went down his back legs. But generally stopped when asked and backed up. I even got him circling round me in both directions where the road widen. Now this might sound a bit easy and everyday for those that long rein regular. But this is Billy we are talking about. Two weeks ago such an idiot i really didnt want to even walk him out anymore in hand he felt so dangerous. So massive accomplishment to even risk long reining.
Oh and i think the last ewe has lambed this afternoon. Just discovered it in time and got her in the shed before the storm.
Its got even better still. 3rd day in a row taking Billy out. We long reined for the first time in probably 3 years. We made it all the way down the road, up a short stretch of main road, turned off and up to the lime kilns. Back down to the car park and back up the road. Not one call out. Granted a bit forward and panicked a couple of times when the lines went down his back legs. But generally stopped when asked and backed up. I even got him circling round me in both directions where the road widen. Now this might sound a bit easy and everyday for those that long rein regular. But this is Billy we are talking about. Two weeks ago such an idiot i really didnt want to even walk him out anymore in hand he felt so dangerous. So massive accomplishment to even risk long reining.
Oh and i think the last ewe has lambed this afternoon. Just discovered it in time and got her in the shed before the storm.
Just a little update. Its been a very tough few weeks with the boys. Ive shed lots of tears this week, but they are still with me currently.
Chunky colicked again a fortnight ago. It was relatively mild and passed. But thats the second time in 5 months so it tells me his internal body isnt working as well. He looks cracking, well covered for a 28 year old but sadly his arthritis is really showing. He seems to have got lamer in the last month on his front leg. Then the other night he was walking down a slope in the field and im hearing a lot of clicking. He was better and less noise walking up hill. I still cant decide if its the front shoulder, his back or his back legs. But it was loud and with every step. The noise has eased the last couple of days. On Wednesday i nearly made the call. On Thursday morning he had a little trot up the field. Im out of bute tomorrow and i really dont know whether to ring up to get another box, plus he needs a foot trim as his feet have suddenly grown with all the spring grass. Or whether i make the call. My head and heart are at both ends of the spectrum right now. I also note that whilst hes eating grass hes not moving around as much. His demeanour has also dropped. I wondered if he might have a touch of lami but after his recent colic. Im not going to withdraw grass and give hay, as im suspecting he might have colicked on the hay i put out a fortnight ago. I restricted the grass then as both are well covered so substituted with hay. Something is telling me Chunky suddenly cant cope with hay. Plus i think when he colicked back in Jan, granted it was frosty but he had hay then, so im suspecting hay might be a link to his colic. Hes also a horse that doesnt drink much. But i do feed him soaked feeds, as wet as he will tolerate. I just think the way hes been acting, almost looking shutdown at times, hes not happy now.
Then theres Billy. Hes not going to ever come sound. In fact i think his hock has got noticeably worse in the last 6 months. Hes very obese right now. Which doesnt help at all. Without Chunky he will simply charge about to start with and i think will just make the hock even worse. So better to let him go with Chunky than have to let him stress and me have to call it a month later.
If he tries to trot his hock locks up and he pulls up clearly in almighty pain. But he can canter when it suits him and his back feet can still get above my head as hes demonstrated lots recently in my direction. Hes one happy horse, calling out to me every day currently when i go out to see them. Why hes so vocal i dont know. If anything boredom is playing a part as hes not even been out for an inhand walk recently. Ive been loathed to take him away from Chunky. When i have tried to walk him out hes been hard to handle, dangerous. I feel im risking myself harm. He was fine when i did walk him everyday but my heart has just not been in it to separate him from Chunky and risk harm to myself.
I really would like to keep him as a companion to a new horse but as my farrier said hes of an age now at 14 where the hock is going to get steadily more arthritic and soon requiring pain meds Some of the changes in the hock in the last 6 months are possibly being caused by him not doing enough in hand walking to support the injury but i cant be certain of this, but even when he was in work as the vet originally advised he went from minor lame to this horse is too lame to be ridden in the space of 2 years. Hes now been retired from riding nearly 3 years.
So thats where we are today. I feel that i must put down my thoughts for those that follow my journey. In case you wonder why im going to let both go. It sounds like im just being harsh but reality is that i have two lame horses. It was never meant to be this way. After all i bought Billy to bring on to be my replacement riding horse so i could slowly retire Chunky. Billy could have had many more years riding ahead with me if he hadnt got injured but life puts curve balls in the way.
Im so upset by all this currently and i even find myself getting cross at Billy when he only wants to come and get treats. He just pushes the boundaries and over steps his mark and i find myself pushing him away.
I dont mean it with him but he gets in my face and Chunky misses out. Much of it i know is my grief for Chunky. My grief for Chunky started over a year ago when i saw that shoulder get worse. Ive said to many people he wont be with me much longer but some how weve got this far. But it really is counting down the days now and im struggling.
Chunky colicked again a fortnight ago. It was relatively mild and passed. But thats the second time in 5 months so it tells me his internal body isnt working as well. He looks cracking, well covered for a 28 year old but sadly his arthritis is really showing. He seems to have got lamer in the last month on his front leg. Then the other night he was walking down a slope in the field and im hearing a lot of clicking. He was better and less noise walking up hill. I still cant decide if its the front shoulder, his back or his back legs. But it was loud and with every step. The noise has eased the last couple of days. On Wednesday i nearly made the call. On Thursday morning he had a little trot up the field. Im out of bute tomorrow and i really dont know whether to ring up to get another box, plus he needs a foot trim as his feet have suddenly grown with all the spring grass. Or whether i make the call. My head and heart are at both ends of the spectrum right now. I also note that whilst hes eating grass hes not moving around as much. His demeanour has also dropped. I wondered if he might have a touch of lami but after his recent colic. Im not going to withdraw grass and give hay, as im suspecting he might have colicked on the hay i put out a fortnight ago. I restricted the grass then as both are well covered so substituted with hay. Something is telling me Chunky suddenly cant cope with hay. Plus i think when he colicked back in Jan, granted it was frosty but he had hay then, so im suspecting hay might be a link to his colic. Hes also a horse that doesnt drink much. But i do feed him soaked feeds, as wet as he will tolerate. I just think the way hes been acting, almost looking shutdown at times, hes not happy now.
Then theres Billy. Hes not going to ever come sound. In fact i think his hock has got noticeably worse in the last 6 months. Hes very obese right now. Which doesnt help at all. Without Chunky he will simply charge about to start with and i think will just make the hock even worse. So better to let him go with Chunky than have to let him stress and me have to call it a month later.
If he tries to trot his hock locks up and he pulls up clearly in almighty pain. But he can canter when it suits him and his back feet can still get above my head as hes demonstrated lots recently in my direction. Hes one happy horse, calling out to me every day currently when i go out to see them. Why hes so vocal i dont know. If anything boredom is playing a part as hes not even been out for an inhand walk recently. Ive been loathed to take him away from Chunky. When i have tried to walk him out hes been hard to handle, dangerous. I feel im risking myself harm. He was fine when i did walk him everyday but my heart has just not been in it to separate him from Chunky and risk harm to myself.
I really would like to keep him as a companion to a new horse but as my farrier said hes of an age now at 14 where the hock is going to get steadily more arthritic and soon requiring pain meds Some of the changes in the hock in the last 6 months are possibly being caused by him not doing enough in hand walking to support the injury but i cant be certain of this, but even when he was in work as the vet originally advised he went from minor lame to this horse is too lame to be ridden in the space of 2 years. Hes now been retired from riding nearly 3 years.
So thats where we are today. I feel that i must put down my thoughts for those that follow my journey. In case you wonder why im going to let both go. It sounds like im just being harsh but reality is that i have two lame horses. It was never meant to be this way. After all i bought Billy to bring on to be my replacement riding horse so i could slowly retire Chunky. Billy could have had many more years riding ahead with me if he hadnt got injured but life puts curve balls in the way.
Im so upset by all this currently and i even find myself getting cross at Billy when he only wants to come and get treats. He just pushes the boundaries and over steps his mark and i find myself pushing him away.
I dont mean it with him but he gets in my face and Chunky misses out. Much of it i know is my grief for Chunky. My grief for Chunky started over a year ago when i saw that shoulder get worse. Ive said to many people he wont be with me much longer but some how weve got this far. But it really is counting down the days now and im struggling.
I can only say how sad i am and feel your pain, losing sapphire recently and wondering about how Buddy is as well. I got annoyed with Sapphire too as she was in your face at times and caused friction and didn't want Buddy's rule to be challenged. Like you she was supposed to be my replacement riding horse but not to be. It's really hard when you are dealing with how much is enough rather than an emergency where you have no choice. So much harder. Hugs
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I’m so sorry it’s getting to that stage, it’s such a tough decision to make for one, but to have both struggling, I can’t imagine how hard that must be. And just to say, I think you are right to be contemplating both, given what you describe xx
I'm so sorry to read this, it's never straight forward is it. Whatever decision you come to I wish you well and I know it will be the right one for you as I know you've thought long and hard about it. Here if you need us xxxx
many years ago i rode for a yard and they had a highland mare for his wife to ride side saddle and she had a foal x arab. They were together for life and when Rose had to be pts Haine was as well. They shared a stable all their lives and John reckoned Haine would be lost without her.
Well the boys are still with me. Other things have taken president. Its been a complete whirlwind few weeks.
Took Billy out for a long rein walk today, thought Chunky would just put his head down on lawn and munch till we got back. No he decided he didnt want to be left out so joined us on the walk. He tries so hard bless him. Billy has been performing some serious field acrobatics this week. I feared i might be joining Pricess Anne with a kick to the head. Theyve been on restricted strip grazing but i measured Billy today and he has gained 10 inchs round his middle. I couldnt even get the surcingle done up so had to use the saddle from my larger driving harness to long rein him. He was actually as good as gold going out.
My mum ended up in hospital with a massive infection in her leg. We have had lots of district nurses coming to the house. Shes been in iv antibiotics, now on oral ones.
Cows TB test, all fine thankfully.
Weve been trying to make hay. Barn is almost full but it rained last night so filling the eaves will have to wait.
Ive had extra work that i agreed to as well as my normal work. But that all got behind as i was having to be home to speak to district nurses so much. So i had to work weekends to ay catch up. Mum almost ended up back in hospital last weekend as her insulin levels dropped to very low. Then discovered she had effectively had too much due to needles getting blocked up. So ive been chasing round on that this week.
Hopefully things will be calmer and i will be able to make arrangements for the horses and rams this week.
Took Billy out for a long rein walk today, thought Chunky would just put his head down on lawn and munch till we got back. No he decided he didnt want to be left out so joined us on the walk. He tries so hard bless him. Billy has been performing some serious field acrobatics this week. I feared i might be joining Pricess Anne with a kick to the head. Theyve been on restricted strip grazing but i measured Billy today and he has gained 10 inchs round his middle. I couldnt even get the surcingle done up so had to use the saddle from my larger driving harness to long rein him. He was actually as good as gold going out.
My mum ended up in hospital with a massive infection in her leg. We have had lots of district nurses coming to the house. Shes been in iv antibiotics, now on oral ones.
Cows TB test, all fine thankfully.
Weve been trying to make hay. Barn is almost full but it rained last night so filling the eaves will have to wait.
Ive had extra work that i agreed to as well as my normal work. But that all got behind as i was having to be home to speak to district nurses so much. So i had to work weekends to ay catch up. Mum almost ended up back in hospital last weekend as her insulin levels dropped to very low. Then discovered she had effectively had too much due to needles getting blocked up. So ive been chasing round on that this week.
Hopefully things will be calmer and i will be able to make arrangements for the horses and rams this week.
Holey moley. It's been a really rough summer for you so far. I'm so sorry.
I just had to have my 29 year old euthanized and it was terrible. I can imagine how hard this will be for you.
Ît sounds like you're doing a very good job of calling it in time before they are suffering. I waited too long.
I couldn't let mine go and I feel terrible about that now. I wish I would have been as level headed about this as your are
I just had to have my 29 year old euthanized and it was terrible. I can imagine how hard this will be for you.
Ît sounds like you're doing a very good job of calling it in time before they are suffering. I waited too long.
I couldn't let mine go and I feel terrible about that now. I wish I would have been as level headed about this as your are
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