Yesterday was fine and warm with only slightly windy winds. It was a calm steady productive afternoon, I was passing through the Corridor Paddock where Daisy and Hairy MacLairy were dosing, I took a shot of Hairy and Queenie then I noticing Hairy’s hoof stuck out like as he relaxed, so putting the camera on its fencepost, I went over and crouched down to have a look. Sheep who do not get to walk the trails of big paddocks all day often have hoof problems. Their nails grow too long but as you can imagine the nail grows downward in a horseshoe shape, so as it grows they kind of begin to walk on heels, then this heel begins to curl inward and fold under, trapping dirt and stones and .. well you get the picture, it becomes uncomfortable and is a hotbed of moisture and infection. Sheep! So we catch the sheep and trim the hooves two or three times a year. Hairy MacLairy has very fast growing hooves.
Hairy is almost 300 pounds. Way more than twice my weight. And now he has a full heavy fleece. So it was with a little apprehension, I crouched down beside him to take the chance of inspecting a hoof without having to catch him. Feeling even braver I actually picked up and turned the foot while he was sitting there.
It did need a trim. Hoping to take advantage of his sleepy state, I went for my hoof trimming tools, then sat down beside Hairy, picked up his hoof and began to cut and trim. The nail is hard, it takes a bit of doing. I use heavy tin snips. Much to my surprise the big sheep burped, raised some cud and sat gently chewing, not moving a muscle, even closing his eyes as I trimmed and cleaned the hoof.
Emboldened, and being careful not to make any sudden moves, talking and singing the whole time, I reached under him and pulled another hoof out a bit. Amazingly, he adjusted his big body so I could reach, though I was on the ground with my face practically in his belly, and so I cleaned and trimmed two more hooves. It takes some time. I must have been scraping and trimming a little at a time for about 5 – 10 minutes. Time was moving slowly. And he let me. He never moved.
Are you going to roll over for me? I asked him. We have one more to go. He turned his great shaggy head and looked at me, his pupils slim black slits. How do I look to you I wondered, am I stretched longways in your eyes? He offered his ears for a scratch.
Well, three out of four was not bad, considering we did not have to grab him and hold him and deal with the kicking and fury at being harnessed that I have to put up with usually. I would get John to help me hold him later on and finish.
So I put my tools away. Retrieved my fork and went back to work.
About 5 minutes later I was pushing the wheelbarrow back to the barn and there he was again, but he had got up TURNED AROUND and was sat back down in the exact same place, but in reverse with the untrimmed hoof stuck out. Eyes open. Chewing. Watching me. Now, he is a sheep. He did not do this on purpose. This was just pure luck. Wasn’t it?
I left the wheelbarrow where it was, swiftly retrieved the pedicure tools and sitting down on the warm damp spring ground again, leaning into his big warm belly again, I trimmed the last hoof.
With all this talk about sheep Daisy would like to remind you that she is also getting nice and round and her calf is due in May. Don’t take your eye off the ball she says and remember you have more than one ball in the air Miss C. 
Look what the barn has released into the world. I forgot to ask John its details for you. But I do know it is a Challenger. Two cars came out this weekend to make room for the pig pen. It does not look like much to me but evidently it is special.
For once we got a clear shot of almost the whole barn. Sometimes I forget that you need some long shots too.
Good morning. It is cloudy, windy and there is still a little rain about. But it will be warm again. Good grass growing weather!
Today I am going to take this computer into the wee geek fellows in the Big Town. It is just too slow. It needs help. I cannot bear its crashing and freezing any longer. Especially when I sit down to visit you all. Now, it may not be fixed today, I may not be able to post tomorrow, maybe even the next day. Mama looks kind of settled but these things can change on a whim (we sure know that now) so if anything exciting happens I shall attempt to send you a post from my phone. Otherwise I will be on radio silence for the next few days. I will miss you.
Have a great morning.
celi
ps The very nice little geeky fellow said the laptop repair will be about two days, so I shall endeavour to pop a few daily photos on my Kitchen’s Garden Facebook page from my fancy pancy phone in the meantime. Just to tide us over and keep you up to date. Soon. Soon. c
The Kitchen's Garden 
61 responses to “Hairy MacLairy gets a Pedicure”
How about that Hairy, huh? Dumb animals, my foot! Daisy is getting huge! I had not envisioned your barn being as large as it is, so, thanks for the visual aid. And that Charger is special. Uncle owned a red one with a black vinyl top. He treated that car like it was his 4th child — maybe better. 🙂
Have a great day, Celi, and good luck with the PC repair.
morning john, I must ask john what its name is, he is very fond of his 70’s cars, or is it 80’s.. hmm. i will get back to you when i am back online! c
We’ll miss you, too!
My Big Computer is in the shop as well, so the Travel Laptop is being pressed into service…hope we’re both All Fixed soon!
(Love the Daisy-Ball photo – she’s getting big!)
morning marie, hs is a ball isn’t she, and her appetite is growing, the sooner she is on grass the better!! c
I wish Daisy and co could have a bite at our lawn – it’s about 7″ high, but doesn’t yet get dry enough to mow during the day. Bravo for the pedicure (s) – what gentlemanly behaviour from Hairy!!
Bon rétablissment for the pc – get well soon.
Love,
ViVx
They know what they like! I find I am often amazed at how much animals truly understand. We stil lhave so much to learn from and about them. Obviously, Hairy MacLeary thinks he hired you for the day to be his personal aesthetician 🙂 Have a great day!
Good morning, it was quite an extraordinary exchange really, I think we had a moment, but my job was a lot easier that way than doing it forcibly.. c
I do love that last long shot of the barn. As for the computer, I just got a brand-new desktop, replacing my 2003 version. I cannot believe the difference in speed. But, alas, it also means I need to relearn what I’ve done for nine years. And that can present a challenge.
I will miss your daily stories and images and I’m quite certain you will, too.
How fantastic getting a new computer, I am just on a laptop which I drag all over the place with me so it is probably ready for some attention. Hopefully it will not take long as I do compile the daily pages as part of my day, so it will be a strange few days without the writing.. c
Hairy MacCleary wants to be sure that you don’t spread the word around about his cooperation with the pedicure: it might sully his reputation around the farmy.
Ronnie
Morning Ronnie, ah yes i had better not tell, or he will not be so co-operative next time.. c
Clever sheep that one is, knowing you were looking after it 🙂
Lovely pedicure story. 🙂
Hope the computer is rejuvenated …
The old Chargers are one of my favorite cars. Love it! And nicely done on the pedicure. Hairy is pretty smart – what’s not to love about getting a pedicure. 😉
I will be very sad if I wake up and come to my computer tomorrow morning and cannot see what you and your zoo have been up to! Hopefully those geeks can fix things quickly…
I love it when weirdly “human” moments happen with our animals. He must have just been in a very accommodating mood, or was happy to get a little manicure. We all know how relaxing a good mani and pedi can be. Ha!
Daisy looks beautiful and I can’t wait to meet her calf. Hope you’re going to be taking pictures of the birth if possible.
Have a wonderful day! ~April
I think it’s amazing how animals see to know the difference when you are truly helping them out – great story Celi!
Just love your huge barn Celi! It’s enormous compared to our wee red barn. Lots of room for the animals and…..cars….hmmm. I don’t really understand the novelty and excitement of the really old rusty cars whose bodies are falling apart. I know they are old and important and all, but I really don’t get it. Please don’t tell Our John what I just said!!! xo
Love the story of Hairy’s nail-trimming. Reminds me how fruitful good timing can be – something about it strikes me as “cooperating with Life”, though I frequently read too much into simple matters and mere luck. 🙂
Mornin’ C. Nail trimming here is an athletic event!
We will miss you too! Daisy looks great, she is really getting big. I’m sure you will find plenty to keep you occupied while you’re offline. Looks ilke there’s always something needing done there on the farmy 🙂
Hopefully Hairy set the precedent for a great week! How terrific!