January 2024 - update from our farm

[@kieran.stafford]

Heartbroken watching this Sandra. RIP Nell, beautiful gracious old girl. What a great life she had.

[@001singularity]

So sorry for your loss. She had a fine life thanks to you both.

[@DianeD862]

We are so so sorry with the loss of Nell we know she was well looked after and loved.🥰 We just love Donkeys 🫏 your truly wonderful Sandra and Tim .What a sad Weekend will be thinking about you both .God Bless.🫏🫏🫏🫏🫏🫏💟💟☮️☮️

[@shamrockewe822]

I'm sorry to hear of Nells passing ❤

[@mysticshining]

Sorry to hear about Nell :( Have fun in heaven Sweet Nell.

[@rowemag]

Beautiful scenery. Goodbye, dear Nell ❤️ I like Buttercup’s gift!

[@hayleypigg7802]

So sorry for the loss of your beautiful donkey 😢

[@jmorgan5252]

I always look forward to your videos Sandra and Tim. I am so sorry to hear Nell had to be put down. It is never easy when you lose one of your animal friends. RIP Nell

[@TeaandFiona]

Oh I'm so sorry about Nell! She was the subject of the very first video I ever saw on your channel and which kept me interested. What a beautiful life she had.

[@Iflie]

Aw, where there's life there's death and plenty of it too. But it looks like a happy fruitful life she had and a calm end. I think a good frost for a while really helps to have less bugs in summer. Sadly we didn't have it so there are already little flies and things buzzing around. I hear geese calling but never see them, it seems they are returning to or from where they went in winter. The radio is a fun gift for Buttercup, he's a hardworking goose being involved in everything, he needs his diversions, haha

[@WayOutWestx2]

We always have plenty of insects despite frosty spells, I don't think frost bothers them! Buttercup deserves the best after all the guarding and supervising he does all day!!! We don't have migrant geese here but they are a lovely sight and sound for sure.

[@Iflie]

@@WayOutWestx2 I bet at the farm they have lots of places with warm shelter but here in a regular yard the flea eggs and bugs get a bit hit when it's a good winter. I bet I will have to start using drops on the cats early this year. Many geese winter in the netherlands, but unless you go outside the cities they are very good at being heard and not seen, like when they are flying at night.

[@ptonpc]

That shot at the beginning with the woofs was beautiful. So sorry to hear about Nell, you gave her the best life you could and was there for her when she needed you. It's good to see life on the farm and the adventures :)

[@johndepner9237]

So lovely to see the beautiful flowers!!!!

[@annemarielarooy9118]

Hi Sandra and Tim, So happy I found you again ! So sorry for Nell, Good to see you are well. AnneMarie from Amsterdam

[@WayOutWestx2]

Nice to have you back watching!

[@lucaduke1921]

Rest in peace beautiful Nell

[@charickter]

So sorry to hear about Nell. 😢 Much love to you all and stay warm! 💙

[@OurEcoLife]

Sad to hear about Nell but nature has a habit of catching up with all of us in the end. It was a kindness not to make her suffer through a cold spell with no hope of recovery. Wish you and Tim both well for the coming year.

[@DDTTELEWLLETEL]

Very lovely film. Such respect for the ones you care and work with.

[@tracybowling1156]

I always wonder how that Buttercup is! He is my all-time fav! ❤ I'm very sorry to hear about Nell. It is so hard not to want more time with your loved ones. Be they man or animal! ❤ She is a good old donkey! She will def be missed!

[@TomLeg]

Love Sandra!

[@kameljoe21]

Its hard to put down animals. Yet we have to do what is right, I have been on that side a number of times from pets to livestock. Buttercup is quite happy to be being doing what he wants!

[@eckosters]

Rest in Peace beautiful Nell, you had the best life and gave it everything. And Rhododendrons and daffodils in January?!?!?! I’m several degrees South of you on this cold coast and have to wait at least a month for the first crocuses… (but I’m not complaining). Buttercup remains totally hilarious!!

[@WayOutWestx2]

The gulf stream runs past our coast so it's always mild here apart from when we get Easterly wind which usually brings frost in winter....

[@eckosters]

@@WayOutWestx2 yep, I know, I hail from the Netherlands originally;)

[@robinhall3347]

Sorry darling Nell died, rest in peace dear girl.

[@Traderjoe]

The unfortunate ends of life affect all. None are spared its cold embrace. I had to put my dog Charlie down a few months ago and I made the decision with his comfort as my only practical option. I had to be adult about it and it is ultimately better than trying to eke out more time with them than to keep that knowledge in my mind a moment longer than practicable to prolong his pain.

[@Whipple1]

It’s always difficult to lose an animal that’s bonded to you, and you have bonded with, too. I miss every one of my dogs and am currently grappling with the decision to get another, knowing I may out live it at my age. Peace to you and Charlie. Whipple

[@Traderjoe]

@@Whipple1I suppose that you could get an older dog from a rescue, or to have a network of friends who might take a dog who might outlive you. Hopefully you have many years of enjoyable life with a new dog!

[@DeborahKEgolf]

❤ .

[@ferguscosgrave7510]

The life on a farm is hard sometimes

[@ltsmash45]

:)

[@rugbystories3344]

One question Sandra can a modern day Irish draught horse be trained and used to pull a plow effectively

[@WayOutWestx2]

I would say yes but then modern Irish Draughts differ so much from horse to horse as a lot of them have had TB crossed in at some stage which can make them more jumpy. Also, they have gone up in height so the physics of pulling something on the ground aren't ideal anymore. Because being so tall, the centre of gravity is higher and the point where the traces are attached to the horse are too, so the angle this creates between the plough, the ground and the forward motion of the horse doesn't use the horse's power as effectively as in smaller horses. Old type Draughts were more like 15hh whereas nowadays they are at least 16hh. They make great carriage horses, the hitching point is higher off the ground and they have a great stride, especially in trot. And judging from my mare's character, she would learn to pick up the skills very fast.

[@rugbystories3344]

@@WayOutWestx2 thank you for your response

[@rugbystories3344]

What if I were to engineer a plow that has a higher hitching point similar to those horse plows that have seats i mostly see in American horse farmers can that make them effective horses to use in the plowing season

[@immortalsofar5314]

Warning please! I wanted to show the donkey from the thumbnail to my GF to persuade her to consider the farm life! Arooooo!

[@dansharpie]

why do people say dead as a door nail ???