I'm beginning to feel Star is like a one horse demolition service as she's manage to somehow, I suspect scratching her ample derriere, bend the metal staple on her door that holds the padlock. I had to unbend it so I could get into her food. She's already broken the wood on the door twice and pulled one of the bolts off. Add to that the four field shelter struts she's broken over the past couple of years and it soon adds up! I've witnessed this bottom scratching on the field shelter before and all I can say is I'm glad it's got sturdy ground ties as without it she'd surely knock it clean over. She appears oblivious of the strain she's subjecting it to as the look on her face is sheer bliss, her top lip goes all droopy!
She's had her feet trimmed today, and glad to report there's a huge improvement in them, much less separation in the hoof wall. I need to work more with her on her hinds as she doesn't like having them held up for long periods on the trimmers hoof stand. To be honest I think she just gets bored and wants to go back to eating most of the time. Also need to sort out some nippers so we can trim her ergots, Star's are so thick and hard poor trimmer struggled and I know for sure I'm not going to be strong enough to do it.
Perhaps you need to get a telegraph pole (while they're stil about), cut it into four then cement one piece about a foot down into the ground and screw on some bits of wood about bottom height. That way you'll have a few spare and by cementing them into the ground (try postcrete) Star will be able to rub her bum whenever it itches without destroying her field shelter. You might want to lay the other pieces in with the sheep so that they can play and jump over them (or head butt them)!
ReplyDeleteIt's a nice idea but I don't think I'd be able to get permission from the farmer. My asking if I could put down some gravel for hoof conditioning wasn't exactly greeted with enthusiasm, and I don't think any amount of cake is going to persuade him either!! :D
ReplyDeleteOh wow you have to trim her ergots? I've never had to do that before. Silly Star!
ReplyDeleteErgots are only generally found in draft types and she has this horny growth, bit like their chestnuts, at the back of her heel. I need to get myself some hoof nippers and a very strong bloke because Star's are tough lol!
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