Kensmyth

well amidst the horror of the world, Mum made time to make a cake for someone – bless you Mum, the fruit cake was delicious.

meantime – learn to bake pastry in your isolation time, spread the meals with onions and left overs..yum yum

I recently had to visit a hospital with my poor Mum. I was not sure if this was deliberate of someone has a great sense of humour..

well as birthing season rapidly approaches, it was time to throw out old stock that has gone out of date. Some might call this wasteful but I know I would not want anyone using Lube that was two years out of date on my bits I can tell you! So all old birthing equipment safely disposed of and getting the birthing boxes ready for the coming season.

Colostrum – essential in the first 24 hours if cria or foals cannot or will not drink this essential from mum

Purple spray for umbilical cords – you can use Engymycin Spray, some use Iodine and you an also get a non coloured spray but Purple or Engymycin have always worked for me (if it aint broke why fix it?) and Iodine for the foals navels.

gloves – not to be used when entering an animal – clean hands and lubrication (Lube) for that but gloves do tend to prevent blue or purple fingernails when spraying navels and iodine stains yellow if you have not yet discovered this!

Teats – Alpaca cria have tiny mouths and lamb teats are way too big. don’t forget slit don’t take the top off or the flow of milk is too fast. obviously foals have bigger bottles and teats. The brand photographed fits most bottles

Kick Start – for newborns who need literally a “kick start” perhaps after a long labour

these are just a few of my essentials along with:

torch, scissors, sharp knife, clean dry towels, cria coats, prolapse kit, cling film, navel clamp, plastic bags for placentas, medical kit, rope, mobile phone, bucket

.. and that is just the start of getting myself ready for action

Bring it on!

I don’t care what the weather man says – its annual Lambivac recently amongst the husbandry and you know your back is going to ache when you have so many Alpaca to vaccinate – each requiring 2 ml of Lambivac – you can do the maths!

well there have been birthday celebrations recently amongst the humans but also amongst our Alpaca… some of the old boys have been around a long time LOL

Many longstanding followers will know that I am deeply Christian and I pray regularly for many people, today I prayed for my Brother and his family along with my parents as we lost him at just 40 years of age many moons ago.

I am however, not maudling and we must all cope with sad losses and keep going, keep smiling, keep calm and carry on.

As the corona virus takes more and more lives and the pandemic continues, so will my prayers.

not the most flattering picture of the Munch Monster – alias Kensmyth Perugia our 2019 Draught foal – but shows you how big he is now… just 9 months at this point and nearly 15hh – oh my word! What a stunner!

For those not horsey amongst my followers, horses manes should always lie on the right hand side. so wayward locks need training by simply plaiting on occasion – to the right for men – men are always Right are they not?

I love Shakespeare and always say “Beware the Ides of March” bit inappropriate today as it refers to 15th March really.

Wow how the year is flying by, despite the endless storms and rain.. and snow.. there is hope for Spring and the grass is growing madly as it is still relatively warm.

Welcome March at Kensmyth, Clay Meadow – yet more snowdrops out – I must get to Colesbourne to see them!

its very hard when you have loved something so beautiful to have to give it up – yes I watched Pretty Woman the other day what a feel good film that is.. however it was time to say a fond farewell to some of our Alpaca recently and they have gone to a fantastic knowledgeable home, settled in well and will be very happy with their new owners.

but it always makes me sad when you see them for the last time before they go ..

well with storm after storm and rain and more rain leading to mud and more mud..

its great to have the barns for the Alpacas and even better to be able to watch them in the dry on CCTV