HOOVES AND TAILS

Home: Welcome

Hooves and Tails is a farm animal sanctuary based in Hertfordshire. We are a registered charity, (No:1205698) and are entirely run by dedicated volunteers. Currently, we provide care for over 50 rescued sheep and goats that were sick, neglected and mistreated.

Our mission is to provide a safe haven for rescued animals, where they can live out their lives peacefully, surrounded by love and receiving the best possible care.

We educate the public on kind and respectful treatment of animals, raising awareness of their needs and promoting compassion for these sentient beings.

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Meet River 🐑 — a 7-year-old girl born at the sanctuary. She’s always been one of the most elusive sheep here, blending in so well that she often went unnoticed.

I tried to socialise her with treats, but she never responded like the others. Then I noticed she’d often tilt her head or look upwards to see. With help from our vet, we discovered she’s blind in one eye. It all made sense — her distance, her wariness.

Over winter, I gently worked on gaining her trust. She’s now discovered Rich Tea biscuits and comes running every evening for her share.

River has seven years of treats to catch up on, and I’m so happy I can now care for her with the understanding of her eyesight issue.
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#sanctuarylife #rescuesheep #partiallyblind #animalcare #vegansanctuary #sheepofinstagram #riverthesheep #river #shetlandsheep #hoovesandtails #sheep #rescuesheep #sheeple #sheepies #sheeplove

For years, the lovely swan 🦢 couple Frankie and Betty graced us with their presence. Sadly, we lost Frankie earlier this year, but Betty still visits on her own, and now her cygnets from last year have started showing up too.

It’s always such an enjoyable and special moment to see these amazing birds and a true pleasure to feed them ❤️
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#swans #wildlife #nature #animals #feedingtime #countrylife #cygnets #birdwatching #animalsofinstagram #swanlove #hoovesandtails #betty #frankie

I am so proud of our lovely Leyla for continuing a family tradition! Just like her brother Larry, Leyla loves reaching up to tree branches to nibble on her favourite leaves 🌿 She looks so cute ❤️

She may get a bit of stick for being a chunky girl, but don’t let that fool you—Leyla can stretch, climb, and reach with the best of them when there are tasty leaves involved.

It’s a joy to see her being her true, quirky self in a safe and loving space 💚
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#goatsofinstagram #goatsanctuary #rescuegoat #sanctuarylife #adoptdontshop #plantpoweredgoat#leylathegoat #goatlove #leyla
#hoovesandtails #goatsanctuary #goat #goats #whitegoat

March 2025 photo dump 🐑🐐
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#hoovesandtails #sheepsanctuary #goatsanctuary #goat #goats #rescuegoats #sheep #rescuesheep #sheeple #sheepies #sheeplove #goatlove #farmanimalsanctuary #supportoursanctuary #march #march2025 #photodump

Larry’s 1st anniversary of passing 💔

I’ve been dreading this day. His absence is felt every single day, and I miss him terribly. Grief comes in waves—you never know when it will hit, and today, it hit hard.

For a whole year, he hasn’t been there to greet me at the gate. I haven’t had to distract him with peanuts just to slip into the sanctuary. The tree leaves that were once within his reach have started to grow again.

Leyla has adjusted to life without her big brother, but she’s definitely less confident without his protection. I miss his mischief, his sweet bleats, and the way he made my happy place extra special.

I’ve planted a tree in his memory, and every Christmas, his scarf adorns its branches—just a small way to keep his memory alive.

Larry was truly one of a kind—a larger-than-life character with a mischievous streak that kept us all on our toes. He was the king of the sanctuary - had a tender, loyal and clever nature that made him unforgettable.

Larry, you were more than just a goat. You left hoofprints on hearts forever and will never be forgotten 💚
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#rememberinglarry #goatLove #sanctuarylife #neverforgotten #larry #larrythegoat

Logan and Leyla seem to like the celery sticks. Logan’s magnificent horns give him a unique advantage - once he’s got his head in the box, no one else can get in!
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#hoovesandtails #logan #sheep #goat #leyla #whitegoat #sanctuary #sheepsanctuary #shetlandsheep

Sheep fights are intense and can cause serious injury.

Nala and Kimberley are battling it out, while Precious tries to join in, despite being half their size.
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#hoovesandtails #sheepsanctuary #goatsanctuary #goat #goats #rescuegoats #sheep #rescuesheep #sheeple #sheepies #sheeplove #goatlove #sheepfight #supportoursanctuary #precious #nala #kimberley

It’s impossible to walk by without them noticing. They create a full-blown spectacle the second they see me, demanding treats, naturally.
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#hoovesandtails #sheepsanctuary #goatsanctuary #goat #goats #rescuegoats #sheep #rescuesheep #sheeple #sheepies #sheeplove #goatlove #farmanimalsanctuary #supportoursanctuary

February 2025 photo dump
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#hoovesandtails #sheepsanctuary #goatsanctuary #goat #goats #rescuegoats #sheep #rescuesheep #sheeple #sheepies #sheeplove #goatlove #farmanimalsanctuary #supportoursanctuary #february #february2025

It’s hard to believe it’s been a year today since we lost Finley 💔 He was only six, healthy and happy, when he was suddenly taken from us.

He was also the first loss we experienced here at the sanctuary, which made it even harder.

Born here to Stacey, with his twin Pearl, he was so handsome and a lovable boy. The unexpectedness of his passing still hurts and miss him everyday 💔
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#rememberingfinley #gonetoosoon #sanctuarygrief #finely #hoovesandtails #sheepsanctuary #sheep #rescuesheep #sheeple #sheepies #sheeplove

January 2025 photo dump.
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#hoovesandtails #sheepsanctuary #goatsanctuary #goat #goats #rescuegoats #sheep #rescuesheep #sheeple #sheepies #sheeplove #goatlove #farmanimalsanctuary #supportoursanctuary #january2025 #photodump #sanctuarylife

Enough of this frosty business ❄️🥶🥶

While it looks all pretty with the ice and frost, winter at the sanctuary can be a real challenge. My fingers are practically frozen to the point I need a hot water bottle between jobs.

Keeping the sheep warm and well-fed is a top priority. I have to constantly de-icing their water buckets and making sure they have plenty of hay to munch on and straw to snuggle into.

Even the gate lock doesn’t escape the icy grip. have to carry a flask of hot water around to thaw it out so I can get in and out.

We’re all looking forward to warmer days ☀️.
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#sheepsanctuarylife #winterchallenges #keepingwarm #rescuedlives #animalcare #hoovesandtails #sheepsanctuary #goatsanctuary #goat #goats #rescuegoats #sheep #rescuesheep #sheeple #sheepies #sheeplove #goatlove #farmanimalsanctuary #supportoursanctuary #frost #coldsnap #frozen

A game of sheep and fox 🦊🐑

While feeding the sheeple and Leyla, I also make sure the local wildlife gets some food. My regular visitors include squirrels, swans, badgers, a variety of birds and of course, the foxes.

But Ingela the sheep has become quite the troublemaker. She’s recently discovered where I leave food for the foxes and now thinks it’s her personal buffet😅

At any given time, I feed around four foxes, but two of them know my routine so well they follow me into the field. This has made things a bit tricky because Ingela is determined to beat them to their dinner.

It’s a constant game of cat and mouse – or rather, sheep and fox. She’s relentless. I sometimes have to physically hold her back just to make sure the foxes get their food in peace.
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#sanctuarylife #cheekysheep #wildlifecare #foxtales #sheepshenanigans #sanctuarydrama #lifewithanimals #fox #foxes #ingela #shetlandsheep #hoovesandtails #sheepsanctuary #goatsanctuary #goat #goats #rescuegoats #sheep #rescuesheep #sheeple #sheepies #sheeplove #goatlove

🐑 2024 Recap: A Year at Hooves and Tails 🐐

This year has been bittersweet at the sanctuary - said goodbye to Finley, Larry and Tyrion 💔 Their lives were filled with love and care.

💚 Blessed with a new volunteer community providing much-needed support at the sanctuary.

🩺 Managing the flock’s health is always a top priority—from allergies to specialised treatments ensured Maya, Precious, Badem and CivCiv received the care they needed from March to September months.

✂️ Found an amazing new shearer this year, whose gentle and caring approach has been a blessing to the sheeple.

👢Some of sheeple tried on new boots this year to prevent mud from sticking to their hooves—a small change that made a big difference 🐑💛

⛈️ Braving the weather - heavy rains caused flooding and mud at the sanctuary. Storms also brought down trees, requiring significant clean-up efforts.

🌿 Battling weeds - faced a major issue with cottonrose weeds covering large parts of the field. It took days to remove and taught me an important lesson: remove weeds as soon as they appear!

🍎The flock was treated to surplus food from the local food bank, including bread, fruits and vegetables that would otherwise go to waste.

🤝Helping animals extend beyond the sanctuary fences - continue to provide relief to local wildlife, help other sheep and goats in need, and collaborate with rescues finding homes.

🙏Running the sanctuary alongside a full-time job and personal commitments is no small feat. I couldn’t do it without the support of my local community, neighbours and vegan community 🌱 I’m grateful to everyone for their donations and those who give their time to help with rounding up, feeding and maintaining the sanctuary.

From all of us at Hooves and Tails – thank you for being part of our family 🐑🐐💚
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#sanctuarylife #vegancommunity #compassionateliving #grateful #sanctuarylove #hoovesandtails #sheepsanctuary #goatsanctuary #goat #goats #rescuegoats #sheep #rescuesheep #sheeple #sheepies #sheeplove #goatlove #veganfortheanimals #2024review

Wishing all our followers and supporters a baa-rilliant Christmas and a bleatingly happy New Year 🎄🐑 🐐

Here’s to a new year filled with compassion, kindness and even happy endings for animals in need.
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#merrychristmas #happynewnear #sheepsanctuary #sheeplife #christmas2024 #hoovesandtails #sheepsanctuary #goatsanctuary #goat #goats #rescuegoats #sheepofinstagram

Some of the sheep and goats wear their festive bandanas and scarves for Christmas, as they do every year. But it was a particularly hard and emotional occasion this year, as Larry is no longer with us to wear his scarf and seeing it unworn this year was a painful reminder of his absence 💔

To keep that memory alive, from this year onwards, Larry’s scarf adorns the oak tree planted in his memory.

The big oak tree in the field was his favourite tree. He loved acorns and would spend the acorn season camping under the oak tree, eagerly waiting for them to drop. He even charmed passers-by into picking up acorns from the other side of the fence for him. His memorial stone features an acorn as a tribute to this special part of his life.

I’m not yet ready to scatter his ashes, but in the spring, I may use some to plant flowers in his favourite spots at the sanctuary.

A heartfelt thank you to Marion for donating the oak tree and kindly arranging for her gardener to plant it. This beautiful gesture means so much.
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#larry #animalsanctuary #goatlove #lifeonthesanctuary #inlovingmemory #gonebutnotforgotten #foreverinourhearts #animaltribute #rememberinglarry #christmasmemories #festiveseason #christmasatthesanctuary #christmaswithanimals #loveandloss #treeoflife #legacyoflove #naturememorial #oaktreetribute #instagoats #goatlife #hoovesandtails

Give the Gift of Sheep This Christmas 🌟

Did you know you can sponsor one of our adorable sheep 🐑 at the sanctuary? If you’re searching for a unique Christmas gift 🎁, sponsoring a sheep is a special gift for any animal lover.

By becoming a sponsor, you directly contribute to an animal’s well-being and our sanctuary’s mission. For as little as £30 a year, you can make a real difference.

Our sponsorship package includes:
Personalised certificate with a photo of your chosen animal.
An invitation to meet your sponsored friend (if you live nearby)

So far our sponsored goat and sheep are:
Leyla
Lokum
Monty – He’s a crowd favourite with two sponsors and adored by local kids!
Molly

And many more adorable sheeple waiting for your sponsorship.

📝 How to Sponsor:

1️⃣ Visit hoovesandtails.com and navigate to the “Our Flock” page.
2️⃣ Choose the sheep or goat you’d like to sponsor.
3️⃣ Fill out the easy online “Sponsor an Animal” form.
4️⃣ Complete your donation through the “Ways to Donate” section – simply click the “Donate” button or make a bank transfer.
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#sheepstagram #sanctuarylife #christmasgiftideas #animallover #hoovsandtails #sheeplife #adoptasheepote #supportoursanctuary #christmas #sponsotasheep #sponsor

Here’s a little photo dump from our autumnal season 🍁

Our sheeple absolutely love browsing golden leaves and acorns from the oak trees🍁🌰 They’ve even mastered the art of strategically positioning themselves under the branches, waiting patiently for the leaves and acorns to fall.
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#HoovesAndTails #SheepSanctuary #GoatSanctuary #Goat #Goats #RescueGoats #Sheep #RescueSheep #Sheeple #Sheepies #SheepLove #GoatLove #FarmAnimalSanctuary #SupportOurSanctuary #AutumnVibes #AnimalSanctuary #SheepLife #AutumnAdventures

Storm Bert caused chaos at the sanctuary today when one of our mature trees came crashing down. Thankfully, none of the sheeple were hurt – a huge relief 🙏🐑

Storms like this pose significant risks to our animals. The sanctuary is surrounded by very tall, mature trees, and some are not strong enough to withstand fierce winds. To make matters worse, our main shelters are directly beneath these trees. So far, we’ve been lucky, but the risk is real, and some trees need assessment and possible removal to ensure everyone’s safety.

On a lighter note, the sheeple and Leyla happily demolished the fallen tree’s leaves! 🍃
I am now left with a massive clear-out operation to tackle in the coming days.
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#StormBert #SanctuaryLife #NatureChallenges #TreeFelling #AnimalSanctuary
#HoovesAndTails #SheepSanctuary #GoatSanctuary #Goat #Goats #RescueGoats #Sheep #RescueSheep #Sheeple #Sheepies #SheepLove #GoatLove #FarmAnimalSanctuary

We’re delighted to have played a part in rehoming two adorable pygmy goats, siblings Lenny and Ralph. Their backstory is a little unclear, but they were found on land being sold to developers, abandoned and without owners.

Thankfully, kind hearted Fran rescued them just in time before the developers took over. She brought them to her home, transforming her chicken run into a temporary sanctuary. Fran made sure they had shelter, play areas and plenty of care. However, this setup was only a short-term solution, so she reached out to us for help finding them a permanent home.

While we are unable to take in animals at the moment, we could assist in other ways. I contacted a few rescue organisations, and the amazing team at Second Chance Animal Rescue in Kent kindly agreed to welcome Lenny and Ralph.

Today, the goats were safely delivered to their new home.

Huge thanks to Fran for her incredible efforts in saving and caring for them, to Linda and John at Second Chance Animal Rescue @scar_rehoming for taking them in, and to Charles @soyboyfeeds for helping with the transport.

Wishing Lenny and Ralph a wonderful new beginning in their new home! 🐐💚
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#hoovesandtails #goat #goats #rescuegoats #savinglives #pygmygoats #goatlove #goatlife #goatsofinstagram #cutegoats #animallovers #foreverhome #kindnessmatters #goatadventures #feelgoodstory #happyending #lenny #ralph

The flock was rounded up today for a general check-up, and, more importantly, they all had a pedicure done. It also meant that I finally managed to help the feral girls with dry mud stuck between their hooves.

There are five older ewes that often get mud lodged in between their hooves, and they won’t let me catch them, so they end up limping and unable to put weight on their legs. It pains me to see them suffer like this over something so simple to fix. But sheep being sheep, they think you’re going to kill them and will avoid you like the plague, especially when they feel vulnerable.

Anyway, I’m trying out a new solution—they’ve got dog boots on! If this works, it will save me a lot of hide-and-seek trying to catch them, and the girls won’t feel any discomfort. I’ll be checking regularly to make sure it stays dry and clean.

A huge shoutout to Marion, Teun, and Jennifer for giving up their Sunday to help out. And, of course, thanks to Gavin and his dog, Lady, who helped with the rounding up.
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#flockcare #sheeplife #sheephealth #animalcare #ewelove #shepherding #pasturelife #sheeppedicure #mudmanagement #sheepboots #roundingup #sheepofinstagram #hoovesandtails #goat #goats #rescuegoats #sheep #rescuesheep #sheeple #sheepies #sheeplove #goatlove #farmanimalsanctuary #supportoursanctuary

The rainy and muddy season brings different challenges for the sheeple. The field that we use is very flat and doesn’t drain well, meaning that during most of the autumn and winter months, parts of the field become very muddy.

The sheeple get mud stuck between their hooves, and as the mud hardens, it’s very uncomfortable for them. It gets to the point where they avoid putting weight on the affected leg, and sometimes they will even graze on their knees.

I try to catch them to clean the mud, but it’s a losing battle. Mud builds up between their hooves in no time. I’ve even tried putting socks and boots on some of them.

My biggest challenge is catching the feral ones, the ones in the videos. They are the ones that end up in discomfort for days or even weeks sometimes, as they avoid me like the plague. They won’t even come to the barn for feeding, sensing that I am going to trap them.

I don’t know if all sheep are the same, but my sheeple—even the friendly ones—will avoid me if they aren’t feeling well. It seems like they are super observant and know that if something is wrong, I’m going to catch to examine them.
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#hoovesandtails #goat #goats #rescuegoats #sheep #rescuesheep #sheeple #sheepies #sheeplove #goatlove #farmanimalsanctuary #supportoursanctuary

Although we can’t host general visits due to our location, we were able to welcome a couple of very small groups of special visitors to the sanctuary yesterday 💚

Leyla and Hunter loved all the attention they received.

It was a pleasure to be able to offer visitors the chance to connect with the animals and learn more about their stories.

Needless to say, visitors with treats are always well-received by the flock and Leyla the goat! 🐑🐐
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#hoovesandtails #goat #goats #rescuegoats #sheep #rescuesheep #sheeple #sheepies #sheeplove #goatlove #farmanimalsanctuary

Misty evenings at the sanctuary ☁️🐑
It’s a peaceful sight to see the sheep grazing in the soft mist.
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#sanctuarylife #mistyevening #sheep #nature #hoovesandtails #goat #goats #rescuegoats #sheep #rescuesheep #sheeple #sheepies #sheeplove #goatlove #farmanimalsanctuary #supportoursanctuary

It is with great sadness that I share the news of Tyrion’s passing, one of my 7year old rams💔

I found his lifeless body in the shelter. While I don’t know the exact cause, he had a history of respiratory issues, which may have played a role.

I noticed a change in Tryrion’s behaviour a couple of days ago, but he was always cautious around me, making it difficult to assess his condition. I had been monitoring him closely and planned to catch him over the weekend for a thorough examination.

A few years ago, Tryrion suffered from a severe pneumonia that took weeks to recover from. Unfortunately, his health never fully returned and he frequently displayed signs of respiratory issues that required treatment.

Tryrion came into my care at the age of 1. His mistreatment under previous ownership, including being pulled by his horns and having one snap, broke my heart when I decided to rescue him and his friends.

Although he lived a happy life with me, Tryrion was always wary of humans. This made it challenging to provide necessary medical care, as he would often hide and avoid capture. He did enjoy his peanuts, but always maintained a safe distance.

Despite his fear of people, Tryrion lived a fulfilling life with his family. I am devastated by his loss and will miss him dearly. Rest in peace, Tryrion.
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#Tyrion #RIPTryrion #ram #sheep #animalloss #animalgrief #rescuedram #heartbroken #remembering
#Shetlandram #hoovesandtails

The not-so-glamorous side of sanctuary life 🐑

Caring for lovely sheeple comes with its challenges, especially when it comes to their health. Four of the sheep, Precious, Maya, CivCiv and Badem, suffer from a chronic condition that causes them to have constant diarrhoea from March to October. They’re allergic to grass! 🤯 I’ve tried everything from different diets to medications, but nothing seems to completely stop it.

To manage their condition, I give them steroid tablets every other day to help solidify their poo. If things get too bad, they need steroid injections. Hiding the tablets in dried apricots has become a daily ritual to make sure they take their meds without fuss. It’s crucial to manage their condition carefully, or they can become dehydrated, weak and very ill. Plus, I have to keep them clean to prevent flystrike, which means daily cleaning duties.

Their condition limits my ability to travel during the summer, as they require constant monitoring. I’ve developed a system for administering their medication and catching them, as they’re not keen on taking it. It would be difficult for someone else to do what I do without years of practice.

It’s tough, but I wouldn’t have it any other way. They deserve the best care possible and I’m committed to giving it to them ❤️
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#sheeplife #sanctuarylife #animalcare #sheephealth #behindthescenes #veganfortheanimals #friendsnotfood #precious #badem #maya #civciv #hoovesandtails #rescuegoats #sheep #rescuesheep #sheeple #sheepies #sheeplove #farmanimalsanctuary

It's been a tough few months since we lost Larry. Leyla's adjusting, but the sanctuary feels a little too quiet without her big brother around.

She's definitely less confident these days, hesitant to go on adventures even with me. But thankfully, she has her sheeple crew to keep her company!

Hunter, Oscar, and Monty are her loyal (and sometimes a little competitive!) companions. They play fight like crazy, especially when it comes to who gets the most belly rubs.

I try to spend all the extra cuddle time I can with Leyla. Seeing her on her own sometimes is hard, knowing how close they were.
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#hoovesandtails #goat #goats #rescuegoats #sheep #rescuesheep #sheeple #sheepies #sheeplove #goatlove #farmanimalsanctuary #supportoursanctuary #leyla #larry #goatsiblings

The Queen of Cuddles ❤️

Sky is one of our resident cuddle monsters! This 7-year-old sweetheart knows exactly what she wants - lap time! As soon as she sees me in the field, she trots right over and parks herself next to me, resting her head on my leg. Sometimes her son, Scout, joins the party and I get flanked by two fluffy cuddle machines.

Sky and Scout are incredibly friendly, always seeking out the chance to sit next to you, soak up some strokes, cuddles and kisses. They truly cherish these moments.

Every animal has its own unique personality and Sky and Scout remind me just how special the bond can be between humans and animals.

Taking care of these amazing sheeple and giving them a happy, healthy life is such a privilege.
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#sheep #sky #scout #cuddles #animalsofinstagram #loveyousheep #sanctuarylife #hoovesandtails #sheep #rescuesheep #sheeple #sheepies #sheeplove

Shearing Day☀️

It's that time of year again - annual haircut day for the whole flock ✂️Keeping them cool and comfy for the summer months.

Precious, our lamb sized but sassy 6-year-old sheep, gets a special hand-shearing session from me❤️ She's a bit on the smaller side and I prefer to shear her using scissors rather than electric shearing tool.

We normally plan the shearing for late May/early June. It's tricky to get the timing right. Sometimes it can be too hot, and the sheep will appreciate their coats off then. However, sometimes it can get cold after shearing.

Big thanks to Tilly, our amazing new shearer, for doing an amazing job.

Shoutout to the incredible volunteers Jade @iamjadesophie, Gavin and Lady, the dog, Pam and Monty, another awesome dog, you guys are lifesavers.

Rounding up the sheep is always an adventure! Sometimes quick, sometimes takes a village (and a well-placed dog on a leash). Keeping the flock together is key.

We use the fleece as comfy bedding under the trees for the sheep. ♻️Eco-friendly and the sheep get to enjoy the benefits of their own wool. Fleece naturally composts over time.

The whole flock also gets their annual vaccination to protect them against clostridial diseases and pasteurellosis.
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#sheeplife #sheepshearing #shearing #sheepfleece #sanctuarylife #volunteering
#hoovesandtails #sheep #rescuesheep #sheeple #sheepies #sheeplove

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