The Butternut Flock - Jacob Sheep

10/12/2026

Squash time

10/12/2026

10/11/2026

My husband (whose health is the main reason I have been reducing my flock) insisted that we run the entire flock in with Cadwaladr at the end of June/July. I admit I did not protest a lot. He wanted them to graze down the paddock. I have a feeling we will be having a few more than one more ewe lambing to Cadwaladr in Nov-Dec

10/09/2026

Voltaire (4h ram) & Vixen
10/8/26 twins
Cadwaladr/ Venus

10/02/2026

9/27/26
Jack donkey by Paco out of Mocha should mature 36” or less.

09/29/2026

Butternut Rhett’s Legacy
9/27/26 4h ram lamb by Butternut Cadwaladr out of Butternut Laffalot

Spot Hollow Rhett is this guy’s paternal great grandfather, he was known to stamp his offspring with a big muzzle patch

This little ram includes a lot of older lines top and bottom. As well as many of my favorite rams over time including Spot Hollow Rhett, Chicory Lane Carleton, 4 Horns Farm Jacob, Southwind Hopscotch, Webers Thistle and many favorite ewes as well.

09/26/2026

Expecting lambs from 12 ewes 4 of which are daughters of Southwind Hopscotch, one of my all time favorites. He was sired by another all time favorite 4 Horns Farm Jacob, many of my sheep go back to him. The portrait is Jacob

(Laffalot, Mariachi, Nirvana and Tarradiddle)

09/26/2026

So much for cutting back on breeding

We will be expecting lambs next spring from Leaf Creek My man Godfrey out of the ewes pictured below

09/26/2026

So much for cutting back on breeding.

Fall lambs due by Butternut Cadwaladr out of Butternut Venus, Butternut Laffalot and Yoders Lavender maybe more

09/25/2026

What does it really mean to "let them go on a good day?"

It means it will be your hardest day. It won't matter if you've never done it before, or if you're gifted a dozen good days, each good day is always the hardest one.

It means they won't know what the fuss is about, why they're getting so many treats and extra belly scratches and hugs.

It means you will second guess your decision right up to the very last moment, the very last breath. You'll second guess yourself afterwards.

They'll knicker at you when you arrive, just like any other day.

The weather, perfect. They are content. They look sound today. They are breathing well, eating well, they get up easily enough from a nap in the sun....the list goes on. Whatever issue they struggle with, today they aren't.

Today you euthanize them.

This is what going on a good day means: sending them out while they are happy, while they are healthy, while they are eating well, walking well, etc. You make the choice to do it before an emergency takes the choice away from you, before your horse has to experience any more trauma or pain.

Their last memory will be filled with love.

It'll rip your heart out every time.

We can see the patterns and the increasing trends. We can predict it a little. We can obsess over the past and worry about the future.

Fortunately, horses, all animals, live in the moment. They don't worry about those things. They aren't worried about winter. They aren't worried about July, or allergies, or progressive diseases like cushings or dsld. They don't think about the close calls they've had before, and they certainly aren't thinking about the close calls that are destined to come, as their body continues to age and break down. They just are. They are happy and healthy, or fearful and in pain, on that day, in that moment.

It is the most difficult, most loving gift we are blessed to be able to give.

And that first ice storm will come, that first deep snow, that first heat wave....and you will find a little relief, no longer doubting the choice you made.

They were happy, and safe, and loved. That is all that matters.

It is never easy. ~Kelly Meister, author