Out with the old; in with the new

Tarragon went to a new home today; he has developed a fair set of horns, and our little setup is not appropriate to deal with those. He may or may not be bred; one horn is turning in a little close to his face so he has to grow up a little longer before any permanent decisions are made. He has gone to live at Bill Stearman's Willow Garden Shetlands in a group of 14 first and second year rams.



He went rather grudgingly. Although we halter trained him when he was little, we didn't continue. He has a tendency to dramatically throw himself to the ground ... and then eat.


In return, this fellow came home with us. Unlike Tarragon, he has measly little scurs, and was getting picked on by all the horned ram lambs at Bill's place. So Bill and I did a trade. Right now he is nameless; he is what is known as a Shetland Mule; that is, half Shetland, half Blue-Faced Leicester. Last year Bill imported the very first BFL's into Canada ... and this year, after a rather disasterous lambing season, has sold all of them. They are known for their roman noses, massive ears, and long, lustrous coats that make handspinners quiver with anticipation. Bill bred a natural coloured BFL ram with a moorit Shetland ewe lamb; she had triplets, and this little guy was one of them. Interestingly, he is not a colour, but considered an English Blue patterned lamb. Although he appears brown, his fleece is iron grey.


Here is a close-up for my readers who spin :-). It's not a great shot; it looks a little primitive, but Bill assured me it's lamb coat on the ends. Very dense and crimpy inside, and colour that makes me think of a latte.


Here is Iain making friends with him while we picked up Alison at work.


And, one horse photo ... here is Alison riding her current favourite lesson horse at Mar-A-Thon Stables. Her name is Maya, and she's a draft/paint cross. She's quite green, but she and Alison seem to get each other.