We have been very lucky to have a mild winter with very little snow.  It has been easy on the livestock (and the shepherds).
When I took hay out to the Dorset ewes one morning in February, they were all waiting for me on top of the hill – along with the three Great Pyrenees livestock guardian dogs.
We had very heavy hoar frost on February 25 which made for some neat photos.  It also means we will get rain in 3 months (May 25) and 6 months (August 25).
We are so glad for the livestock guardian dogs alerting us when something isn’t right!
When I went out to feed the dogs and sheep one morning in March, Ben didn’t come for his dog food. I found him standing beside a ewe that was “cast”.
(This happens to sheep and cows sometimes that are heavily pregnant and full of hay and water. When they lay out on their side, the weight over-balances toward their backbone and they inadvertently roll onto their back and can’t get up). If not found in time, they will suffocate.
I helped this ewe up and she walked away, although a bit wobbly at first.