The Accidental Smallholder Forum

Community => Coffee Lounge => Topic started by: mintytwoshoes on March 22, 2013, 03:53:21 pm

Title: Clever or what!!
Post by: mintytwoshoes on March 22, 2013, 03:53:21 pm


Hi All,
Went out to feed our two ponies yesterday, they go into adjacent stables with haynets in both!! Had put up one in one and to avoid jealousy locked the bolt across to prevent them getting in so I could get the other haynet.  By the time I had gone out through the gate to a nearby barn collected the net and returned.  My mare had undone the stable door (no mean feat) gone in and shut it behind her, so her companion was outside.  Talk about Houdini!! She also undoes knotted ropes and gate latches so we have to padlock everything!  The look on her face was priceless "See I can get in there no problem and he is not sharing"!!
So fed up with the weather here blizzard all day and the chickens are really upset.  They all went out two days ago when we could still see the ground in places.  At roosting time I was glad I had counted them in as two were missing.  Some had sheltered under the trampoline during the day so checking found the two!! They decided roosting outside was better than braving walking over the snow mound to get home!!  Almost suffering with hypothermia they cuddled in when I carried them fortunately - nothing worse than flapping birds and slippery feet!!!  Dont think I will let them out again till the Spring comes!!
Title: Re: Clever or what!!
Post by: Rosemary on March 22, 2013, 04:23:50 pm
Your mare's not a Highland is she  ;D

No snow here, just very windy, grey and wintry showers. Going to light the stove now  :)
Title: Re: Clever or what!!
Post by: goosepimple on March 22, 2013, 05:27:27 pm
Surprised you're not in 6ft drifts Rosemary, it looks like you are getting a fair dumping if the weather chart's anything to go by  :o
Title: Re: Clever or what!!
Post by: mintytwoshoes on March 22, 2013, 05:30:23 pm
Hi Rosemary,


Not sure of the breeding!  I was told she is out of a cob mare by a blood stallion,  she is tricoloured and we have had her from a foal.  Sometimes I think she looks a bit like a fine welsh cob as she stands very well but could be highland blood too.


Title: Re: Clever or what!!
Post by: Rosemary on March 22, 2013, 07:49:57 pm
Surprised you're not in 6ft drifts Rosemary, it looks like you are getting a fair dumping if the weather chart's anything to go by  :o

I think it's been heavy inland but we seem to miss it on the coast. First winter we were here, 2010, when the snow fell, our new neighbours said it wouldn't lie - 3 months later it was still here. Last year I purchased a tonne bag of salt to be sure we didn't get caught out. The farmer I buy hay from expressed surprise "FFS, it never snows in Barry" or words to that effect. I pointed out that the previous year we'd had slippy paths for 3 months. So far, in two winters we've used a small bucketful.  ::) Not complaining though.