The cows were booked in to have their toenails cut today.  A fellow from Leicester arrived at a neighbouring smallholding with a mobile cow crush in which he planned to place each cow and trim their hooves.  If the cows walk on concrete or hard ground then the horny covering of the hoof will wear away naturally but our cows live a soft life on grassy fields and they need to have a pedicure.  The first job was to load them into Kate’s trailer – which took three of us to accomplish although, to be fair, I was more of an observer!  Then they waited in the trailer until the cowman arrived and set up the crush.  Then they were led out, one at a time, by a halter at the front and pushing from behind.

After initial reticence, I was very proud of the behaviour of Lucy and Beattie.  They are now ready for the spring and I might even paint their toenails!  Well done girls.