The Cottage Smallholder

hi michelle! not sure its as cold here as oregan, although we did get down to minus 12 last winter for a few nights but that was very unusual.The wind can cut you in two if its in the north.Living here really puts you in touch with the seasons and nature and I love that...ask me again in feb though and I might have changed my mind!

I have four ponies, all rescued.    Two were bought over from england and have been with me since foals,they are now 13 and 10.I have two youngsters aged 2 and 3 too.They take all my time,money and strength but I would never be without them.Its a struggle in the winter but I try to get as much hay and straw in ready as I can, they have to be stabled at night from november till april to save the ground.They arent frugal at all! but they repay me a million times over...I know I cant save all the neglected and poor ponies here but I can take care of these few and to each one that came into my care I promised they would never be hungry cold or unloved again!

I will try and post their pictures if I can work out how!!

Thankyou very much for my welcome! Yes it is very snug inside...have plenty of turf ready for winter...now if I had the room for the ponies I wouldnt have to go out so early in the morning.

Today was the first night that the older ponies came in to their stables.It has been so wet that it had to be done..so its going to be a long winter!The youngsters have the bigger more sheltered field away from the atlantic windward so I am hoping they might be out for another few weeks.Although it is hard work it is rather comforting to look out of my backdoor and see dry warm ponies happily munching hay.

I am working my way through the posts and finding plenty of ideas and advice.... 

 oh dear!  That probably was the norm a few years ago!I think some of the older people here find it very hard adjusting to how society has changed in its attitude with regard to talking and being friendly to children.Over here you still see a lot of children playing out even in fairly quiet areas.There are so many little family farms dotted around,often a few scattered within a mile that have connections and share work and the children are used to cycling between them to meet friends.Some of school pick up points are also very rural and lonely.Neighbours would always look out for each others children,offer lifts and catch misbehaving children too! Its changed now hasnt it? this is a bit off topic!