Reindeer hoofs get hard in the wintertime. This allows them to dig through snow so they can forage for food. However, with the changing climate, especially in the northern latitudes, there are now periods of rain and above freezing temperatures. This creates a layer of ice once the normal freezing temperatures return. This layer of ice prevents reindeer from getting to the food they need to survive the winter.
After our morning exercises the reindeer are sometimes thirsty. However, they often prefer to hydrate by eating snow rather than drinking water. Reindeer are native to northern latitudes where for much of the year the water is frozen so they evolved to replenish fluids by eating snow. The reindeer in this video appear to be grazing but they are actually eating snow and ignoring the water buckets.
The herd dynamics change throughout the seasons. In the fall the bulls are dominant. But once they lose their antlers the females take over. In this video you see our breeding bull, Bronco, who just shed his antlers, get schooled by our dominant female, Sassy. Then our bull calf, Henry, who still has his little antler, dominates Bronco too. As the group breaks up Sassy takes a swipe at Henry reinforcing that she is in charge of the herd.
Bronco is having difficulty walking in a straight line today
Reindeer Conference Topic: USDA complaint process
Animal owners are subject to regulations contained in what is known as "The Blue Book". However, with every change in presidency comes a change in the head of the USDA. With that comes changes in guidance to the USDA inspectors, often resulting in inspectors contradicting previous guidance. This can cause discrepancies from one year to another and between different inspectors. Reindeer owners need to know how to respond to an inspector who isn't following the most current guidance. This should be another good presentation.
Reindeer Conference Topic: Enrichment
All pets can benefit from enrichment activities to keep them healthy, both mentally and physically. We do it with dogs and cats all the time. But what about reindeer? We have tried yoga balls (popped) and horse jolly balls (no interest). Some of the things we have found that they like to engage with are big piles of brush/branches and discarded Christmas trees. At the conference Sara Howard will present on additional ways we can keep the reindeer engaged.
The three younger ones ran ahead while the 3 more mature ones stayed back with the old guy this morning.
Come Walk With Us
Would you like to walk with the reindeer (adults only)?
Every morning Monday-Friday at 8:45am Clancy and I walk the reindeer around the pen between the fences. Please feel free to join us.
This is for adults only. No babies , toddlers, school age kids. No registration needed. Just show up and park along the driveway.
And it's time for a break. Clancy and Sassy rehydrate with snow while Bronco checks out Clancy.
The second reindeer coming around the corner is Henry. Born at 9 pounds last June, he is almost as big as momma now.
Bronco, our breeding bull with the big antlers, is a bit intimidated by me, thankfully.
Shortsville Reindeer Farm has a small herd of 6 reindeer. We host visitors on the farm and we travel.
