How not to do it!

I am feeling a bit sorry for myself today. Unfortunately there isn't anybody else here to give me any sympathy...not that Paul would actually be sympathetic... but he would at least have done the sweeping up. I am a one hand band today (having injured my thumb) meaning that the morning tasks have been a bit of a challenge. 

I had a famous last word moment yesterday. With a family here to do some husbandry training, I decided that I would use one of the liveried females to demonstrate toe nail trimming. Then, Just as I commented on the fact she was being well behaved, she moved, and as I wasn't fully concentrating on the task, I sliced a chunk out of my thumb. Getting a shock I tossed the shears up in the air and they came back point down back into the same thumb. I couldn't do it again if a tried a million times.

My thumb has now swollen so much that it has trapped a nerve and I have pins and needles right up my arm...anyone feel sorry for me yet?

I did get a little bit of sympathy from Epic, who was helping me sweep the barn. Here he is in one of his Masta dog coats, which are far and away the most waterproof (available from Equestrian Clearance for £10). 

                          Beck Brow Epic

I went down to Houghton Hall Alpacas on Friday to be a handler on the BAS Advanced Assessment course (you are able to get so much from helping on these course it really is worth doing). What a great venue they have, we managed to all keep dry despite the weather, and I had a thoroughly enjoyable and informative time. I arrived home at 8pm on Saturday evening rather tired. At least it was a change going down the A1 rather than the M6!

I did find out on Thursday that I hadn't managed to pass the certification. It wasn't a surprise I knew at the time that I had 'lost the plot' hence I had already volunteered as a handler on the AA course. I am going to resit as I know I messed up. I am not especially disappointed as a couple more apprenticeships will be good for me. 

I am typing this on my iPad with Angel on my shoulder...makes a change from using poor Velvet as a cushion...

                                                 Angel having a nap on Velvet!