The Magnolia Ridge

26/01/2025

1st and 2nd tie up lesson for these new girls today. Stood there like pro’s. They are taking to this like absolute queens.

21/01/2025

Girls for their new bling on today. Training halters put on in the paddock, no stress, no worries. These girls love a scratch, rub, brush and carrots….. did we say carrots 🥕. Carrots are like cow crack 🫢, We love how receptive these girls are to their training on day 1. If you’d like to meet them, they will start to become involved in our Highland Experience program and photo shoot sessions very soon. Book your spot to see them now.

19/01/2025

Back at it for 2025 with our first shoot of minis with Max, as usual, loving the attention and the carrots 🥕.

15/12/2024

Today’s BTS brought to you by the NOT photographer, ME! 😜 We kept today’s shoots quite candid. The cattle were hot n bothered so we shot around them, in between them and wherever else they wanted everyone to be. It was a nice change and more relaxed pace.

09/12/2024

💍 Thinking about booking your elopement, a naming ceremony, or planning the perfect proposal? 🤍 Maybe you’re ready to announce your pregnancy 👶 or finally update those family photos 📸? Or is it a Highland Cattle Experience 🐮 that’s calling your name?

🌟 Whatever the occasion, we’ve got you covered! Reach out to us or book your spot directly here: https://MagnoliaRidgeEstate.as.me/

✨ Exciting news: Our new website launches January 2025 🎉, making it even easier to plan your dream experience!

🐾 Bonus excitement: We’ve got 3 calves arriving in 2025 (the first due in early March)! So much happening already, and the year hasn’t even started! 🌿

01/11/2024

After much discussion, this guy will be sold. Not to the first buyer, but to the right buyer. Message us if you would like to discuss.

29/10/2024

This beautiful photo of our boy Vader taken by . He is starting to become more inquisitive by the day. At just 4 weeks old, he is now showing interest in what I’m doing and popping out from under his Mumma’s side to say hi.

27/10/2024

Loved hosting these guys 🩵🩷🤠

02/10/2024

Vadar decided day 4 of livin, was the day to start trying new things, like barley hay 🫢😊. This kid is a cracker 🐮.

25/09/2024

25/09/2024

It was a cake smash afternoon with calves and babies only, invited. Our BTS shots are a glimpse into what was such a special afternoon. The 2 princesses and big cows were not invited to this one, we had special cargo on board. Max and Maeve from were beautifully behaved and showed why they are special. Behind the camera today we had doing what she does so well.

25/09/2024

OK, climbing up on the soapbox once again,
SCOTTISH HIGHLAND CATTLE ARE NOT MINIATURE. Anything purported to be a miniature Highland either has dwarfism or is malnourished to keep the animals small. Period. Either way the animal spends its life in pain or hungry. Stop trying to make them a thing. They are a money grubbing fad and an insult to a heritage breed.

Shown here is our 4 1/2-year-old spokessteer, Scoob & Ingrid’s little boy, IlexOpaca. Ilex was born at 50 pounds on Saturday. Scoob is probably 1500 #. NEITHER ARE MINIATURE. One is a newborn, the other is full sized (except his horns which will continue to grow for his whole life). Ilex will grow to Scoob size.

Why is this a “hot button” for Heather? Not that long ago I sold a heifer who was smaller than everybody else. Her mom was not producing enough milk, and it was my mistake that I sold her without growing her out. Well, her new owner did not feed her—to keep her small, and then she sold her as a BRED MINI. Think about that, a starved animal with full size genetics will produce a FULL SIZE BABY coming out of a mini body. Thank goodness for the vet who cared for her.

So don’t ask me about mini highlands, don’t support them, don’t visit them. It’s not “the cutest thing ever” to exploit an animal due to poor genetics or starvation.

Thank you for reading along, and as always, I appreciate your support.
(Hops off the soapbox)

03/09/2024

After several attempts at assembling the Flow Hive, I’ve developed a new admiration for IKEA flat packs. At least with IKEA, you get the satisfaction of seeing a wobbly bookshelf after an hour (if you’re lucky) of deciphering cryptic instructions. The Flow Hive, on the other hand, has turned into my nemesis. I keep walking away from it, convinced the bees themselves would have an easier time assembling it 🐝. Now, even the thought of an IKEA Allen key feels like comfort—because at least I know that if I stick with it, there’s a 50% chance I’ll eventually have something resembling furniture. Looking at these photos, I haven’t gotten very far so here’s to making honey in 2025 if I’m lucky! 🐝

27/08/2024

Best mates these two girls. Always together, always looking out for one another. Libby is a gentle soul and Ivy is full of teenage sass.

26/08/2024

The jury is back and the results have been confirmed by ultrasound today. Let us know what you think 🤔 and we will let you all know tonight.🩷🐮🩵

14/08/2024

The broccoli 🥦 is bursting, along with all the other vegetables we have planted thanks to the rain 🌧️.

03/08/2024

Second test for the girls today and I still don’t feel I got a definitive ‘YES’. But after speaking with my sista from another Mr who does this for a living, she says both are up the duff. Photos taken at 30 mins as per the instructions. For those who have used these tests or similar ones, what do you say?

30/07/2024

Apollo…… 🤯 every piece of fencing is intact. He’s a magician 🐮