HOOVES AND TAILS

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HOOVES AND TAILS

🐑 Home to over 50 + rescued farm animals
🇬🇧 Hertfordshire
🌱 Vegan run
🐐 Registered charity 🐑. Home to 50+ rescued farm animals
🇬🇧. Vegan run
🐐.

Hertfordshire, Established in 2017
🌱. Registered charity, No 1205698

Hooves and Tails is a Hertfordshire based farm animal sanctuary. We are a registered charity and run entirely by volunteers. We care for over 50 sick, neglected and mistreated sheep and goats. Our mission is to provide a safe haven for rescued animals, where they can live out their lives peacefully, surrounded by love and receiv

ing the best possible care. We educate the public on kind and respectful treatment of animals, raising awareness of their needs and promoting compassion for these sentient beings. OUR MISSION
💚 Provide a safe haven for rescued animals where they can live out the rest of their lives in comfort while receiving the special care and attention they need.

💚 Educate the public to treat animals with kindness and respect by raising awareness of their needs and preventing cruelty and neglect.

💚 Collaborate with other rescues and individuals to relieve suffering caused by neglect, sickness, maltreatment and poor living conditions.

💚 Offer the public opportunities to interact, connect and bond with farm animals through volunteering, visiting and supporting our fundraising efforts.

27/10/2024

The flock was rounded up today for a general check-up, and, more importantly, they all had a pedicure done. It also meant that I finally managed to help the feral girls with dry mud stuck between their hooves.

There are five older ewes that often get mud lodged in between their hooves, and they won’t let me catch them, so they end up limping and unable to put weight on their legs. It pains me to see them suffer like this over something so simple to fix. But sheep being sheep, they think you’re going to kill them and will avoid you like the plague, especially when they feel vulnerable.

Anyway, I’m trying out a new solution—they’ve got dog boots on! If this works, it will save me a lot of hide-and-seek trying to catch them, and the girls won’t feel any discomfort. I’ll be checking regularly to make sure it stays dry and clean.

A huge shoutout to Marion, Teun, and Jennifer for giving up their Sunday to help out. And, of course, thanks to Gavin and his dog, Lady, who helped with the rounding up.

20/10/2024

The rainy and muddy season brings different challenges for the sheeple. The field that we use is very flat and doesn’t drain well, meaning that during most of the autumn and winter months, parts of the field become very muddy.

The sheeple get mud stuck between their hooves, and as the mud hardens, it’s very uncomfortable for them. It gets to the point where they avoid putting weight on the affected leg, and sometimes they will even graze on their knees.

I try to catch them to clean the mud, but it’s a losing battle. Mud builds up between their hooves in no time. I’ve even tried putting socks and boots on some of them.

My biggest challenge is catching the feral ones, the ones in the videos. They are the ones that end up in discomfort for days or even weeks sometimes, as they avoid me like the plague. They won’t even come to the barn for feeding, sensing that I am going to trap them.

I don’t know if all sheep are the same, but my sheeple—even the friendly ones—will avoid me if they aren’t feeling well. It seems like they are super observant and know that if something is wrong, I’m going to catch to examine them.

06/10/2024

Although we can’t host general visits due to our location, we were able to welcome a couple of very small groups of special visitors to the sanctuary yesterday 💚

Leyla and Hunter loved all the attention they received.

It was a pleasure to be able to offer visitors the chance to connect with the animals and learn more about their stories.

Needless to say, visitors with treats are always well-received by the flock and Leyla the goat! 🐑🐐

08/09/2024

Misty evenings at the sanctuary ☁️🐑
It’s a peaceful sight to see the sheep grazing in the soft mist.

01/09/2024

It is with great sadness that I share the news of Tyrion’s passing, one of my 7year old rams💔

I found his lifeless body in the shelter. While I don’t know the exact cause, he had a history of respiratory issues, which may have played a role.

I noticed a change in Tryrion's behaviour a couple of days ago, but he was always cautious around me, making it difficult to assess his condition. I had been monitoring him closely and planned to catch him over the weekend for a thorough examination.

A few years ago, Tryrion suffered from a severe pneumonia that took weeks to recover from. Unfortunately, his health never fully returned and he frequently displayed signs of respiratory issues that required treatment.

Tryrion came into my care at the age of 1. His mistreatment under previous ownership, including being pulled by his horns and having one snap, broke my heart when I decided to rescue him and his friends.

Although he lived a happy life with me, Tryrion was always wary of humans. This made it challenging to provide necessary medical care, as he would often hide and avoid capture. He did enjoy his peanuts, but always maintained a safe distance.

Despite his fear of people, Tryrion lived a fulfilling life with his family. I am devastated by his loss and will miss him dearly. Rest in peace, Tryrion.

11/08/2024

The not-so-glamorous side of sanctuary life 🐑

Caring for lovely sheeple comes with its challenges, especially when it comes to their health. Four of the sheep, Precious, Maya, CivCiv and Badem, suffer from a chronic condition that causes them to have constant diarrhoea from March to October. They’re allergic to grass! 🤯 I’ve tried everything from different diets to medications, but nothing seems to completely stop it.

To manage their condition, I give them steroid tablets every other day to help solidify their poo. If things get too bad, they need steroid injections. Hiding the tablets in dried apricots has become a daily ritual to make sure they take their meds without fuss. It’s crucial to manage their condition carefully, or they can become dehydrated, weak and very ill. Plus, I have to keep them clean to prevent flystrike, which means daily cleaning duties.

Their condition limits my ability to travel during the summer, as they require constant monitoring. I’ve developed a system for administering their medication and catching them, as they’re not keen on taking it. It would be difficult for someone else to do what I do without years of practice.

It’s tough, but I wouldn’t have it any other way. They deserve the best care possible and I’m committed to giving it to them ❤️

14/07/2024

It's been a tough few months since we lost Larry. Leyla's adjusting, but the sanctuary feels a little too quiet without her big brother around.

She's definitely less confident these days, hesitant to go on adventures even with me. But thankfully, she has her sheeple crew to keep her company!

Hunter, Oscar, and Monty are her loyal (and sometimes a little competitive!) companions. They play fight like crazy, especially when it comes to who gets the most belly rubs.

I try to spend all the extra cuddle time I can with Leyla. Seeing her on her own sometimes is hard, knowing how close they were.

23/06/2024

The Queen of Cuddles ❤️

Sky is one of our resident cuddle monsters! This 7-year-old sweetheart knows exactly what she wants - lap time! As soon as she sees me in the field, she trots right over and parks herself next to me, resting her head on my leg. Sometimes her son, Scout, joins the party and I get flanked by two fluffy cuddle machines.

Sky and Scout are incredibly friendly, always seeking out the chance to sit next to you, soak up some strokes, cuddles and kisses. They truly cherish these moments.

Every animal has its own unique personality and Sky and Scout remind me just how special the bond can be between humans and animals.

Taking care of these amazing sheeple and giving them a happy, healthy life is such a privilege.

01/06/2024

Shearing Day☀️

It's that time of year again - annual haircut day for the whole flock ✂️Keeping them cool and comfy for the summer months.

Precious, our lamb sized but sassy 6-year-old sheep, gets a special hand-shearing session from me❤️ She's a bit on the smaller side and I prefer to shear her using scissors rather than electric shearing tool.

We normally plan the shearing for late May/early June. It's tricky to get the timing right. Sometimes it can be too hot, and the sheep will appreciate their coats off then. However, sometimes it can get cold after shearing.

Big thanks to Tilly, our amazing new shearer, for doing an amazing job.

Shoutout to the incredible volunteers Jade , Gavin and Lady, the dog, Pam and Monty, another awesome dog, you guys are lifesavers.

Rounding up the sheep is always an adventure! Sometimes quick, sometimes takes a village (and a well-placed dog on a leash). Keeping the flock together is key.

We use the fleece as comfy bedding under the trees for the sheep. ♻️Eco-friendly and the sheep get to enjoy the benefits of their own wool. Fleece naturally composts over time.

The whole flock also gets their annual vaccination to protect them against clostridial diseases and pasteurellosis.

21/04/2024

Missing you Larry 💔

I’ve been gathering Larry’s belongings. Holding onto memories of him and treasuring everything.

I used to give him ammonium chloride powder mixed with his favourite fruit and barley squash on a daily basis to keep his urine acidic and prevent stones forming. I still have his unfinished squash and his water bottles have his teeth marks.

After he passed away, I removed his ear tag. He had it on before he came to live with us. It was something he wore every day.

Larry loved exploring and was quite the escape artist, often jumping over the fence. I got him a name tag with contact numbers in case he ever wandered off too far.

At Christmas time, Larry would wear his festive scarf, which suited him perfectly. He loved getting attention!

I’ve kept some of Larry’s fur that I brushed last year. I’m so glad I did.

His head collar still has his scent and fur on it.

The trees’ leaves are growing now, a constant reminder of how Larry would grab a branch with one hoof and use the other to hold it down to eat the leaves. If he couldn’t reach, he’d look at me to lower it for him.

We received lovely cards from people, but the one that touched my heart the most was from the veterinary team who cared for Larry when he was hospitalised. He left an impression on everyone who met him even when he wasn’t feeling well.

Larry was the first to greet me at the sanctuary entrance. I couldn’t start my duties until he had his peanut allowance and bottle of squash.

Larry loved having his hooves and horns scratched. He would come to me and put a leg forward asking for a hoof scratch. I just want to give him a big hug and scratch his horns for hours.

We miss you every day, Larry and the sanctuary isn’t the same without you

31/03/2024

It's with great sadness that I share the passing of our handsome boy, Larry, on Wednesday, 27th March 2024. He was only 7 years old. I am heartbroken 💔

Larry was hospitalised for urinary stone obstruction hindering his ability to urinate. This was the fourth time this had happened in his short life. Each time, he required major surgery. This time, the surgeons performed a procedure to create a new passage for urine to exit his body and prevent future blockages. The surgery went well, but when the tube was removed, the skin where he urinates closed up, blocking him again. He underwent another surgery, a last attempt to reopen the passage, but unfortunately, it wasn't successful, and there were no other options left to save Larry's life. While under general anaesthetic, he was put to sleep.

Larry was a huge part of our lives - the star, king of the sanctuary and a larger-than-life character. He and his sister Leyla are the reasons Hooves and Tails exists today, inspiring us to save the sheep.

There are so many fond memories of Larry, which makes his passing so hard. It hurts so much, words can't describe it.

Larry's quirks were a constant source of amusement and a testament to his unique personality. The sanctuary's trees never stood a chance against his love of foliage! Everything we built had to be Larry proof and not within his reach. His escape antics led us to raise the fencing 10 feet high. He’d get people to give him treats from other fields and stood guard at the gate, demanding his monkey nuts as the price of entry. He made an impression on everyone who met him

The loss of Larry has shattered me in ways I never thought possible. We miss him terribly and are left with a hole in our hearts. We are now just left with wonderful memories of this special boy who we will never forget. Rest in peace 🌈 our beautiful boy.

He has been cremated and his ashes will be scattered at his favourite spots in the sanctuary. His final veterinary bill came to £9,320. Any contribution towards this cost and his cremation would be greatly appreciated via this link https://www.paypal.com/pools/c/92FC5KQpxI 🙏

11/03/2024

Larry the Goat’s Surgery Bills 🆘

We urgently need your help to cover Larry the goat's surgery expenses. Larry, a beloved 7-year-old resident of our sanctuary, is currently undergoing treatment at the hospital following a critical surgery.

Larry was discovered in his shed, suffering from severe pain. We promptly contacted our veterinarians for assistance and determined that he was suffering from urinary stones, obstructing his ability to pass urine. Without prompt intervention, his bladder could have ruptured, resulting in a fatal outcome.

He was referred to the specialist unit at the Royal Veterinary College hospital for surgery. He was taken in for a life-saving procedure shortly after his arrival at the hospital. He is now in the recovery phase and expected to remain hospitalised for about two weeks.

The estimated cost for this surgery ranges from £6,000 to £8,000. We don’t have this sort of funds, which is why we are reaching out to you for support.

Without this surgery, he either would have died, or we would have been put in a horrible position to consider euthanasia. We are incredibly grateful that there was a surgical option available to save his life, despite the cost.

Please consider making a contribution towards Larry’s recovery and help us pay his surgery cost. Donations can be made via this link:
https://www.paypal.com/pools/c/92FC5KQpxI

If you are unable to donate, you can still help by sharing our fundraiser or creating your own on platforms like Facebook or Instagram.
Every contribution, no matter the size, will make a meaningful difference in saving Larry's life.

A heartfelt thank you for your support on behalf of Larry and everyone at Hooves and Tails 💚🐐🙏

01/03/2024

This Friday, make a difference with a Five Pound Friday 🌟

We need funds for essential supplies like hay and specialist feed for our older sheep. Our monthly hay cost alone is £250 and each bale priced at £5.

With just 50 donations of £5 each, we can cover our monthly hay cost and continue providing the best care for our animals.

Your donations ensure that our sheep and goats have more than just full bellies - their woolly faces light up and their tails wag with gratitude.

Please consider donating, no matter the amount, to support our sheep and goats at the sanctuary.

Donations can be made via the PayPal link https://www.paypal.com/donate/?hosted_button_id=48KEXJPT76A2J

Each meal you help to provide is lovingly consumed, leaving empty feeders and contented hearts 💚 🐑 🐐

25/02/2024

We’re deeply saddened to share that Finley, one of our beloved sheep, passed away earlier this week 💔 He would have celebrated his 6th birthday this April. Finley was a charming and friendly member of our sanctuary family. Growing up with constant human interaction, he was always one of the first to greet you, eagerly awaiting a chance to lobby for peanuts.

We discovered Finley peacefully lying in the shelter, his passing a sudden and unexpected shock. The night before, he seemed perfectly fine, munching away without a hint of discomfort or illness. There were no visible injuries or signs to indicate the cause of his death. It’s heart-wrenching to lose him in such a manner, a perfectly healthy boy gone in an instant

Finley is the first of our rescued sheep to leave us, having joined our sanctuary family in 2018. Born here on April 14th, he was one of twins alongside his sister, Pearl. Their mother, Stacey, was pregnant with them at the time of her rescue.

While we’re deeply saddened by his early departure, we find comfort in knowing he lived a life filled with love, care and freedom. He enjoyed the company of his family and the joy of being cherished. Unlike countless others, Finley avoided the horrors of a slaughterhouse and lived a life true to his nature.

You’ll forever occupy a special place in our hearts, Finley. Your memory will live on and we’ll always remember you fondly. Rest in peace 🌈beautiful boy 🕊️

18/02/2024

Winter at the Sanctuary: Challenges & Beauty

Winter months at the sanctuary can be tough, but they also hold beautiful moments. We witness stunning winter skies and breathtaking sunsets that paint the horizon ❄️

However, with the beauty comes hard work. Each storm brings cleanup duties, including clearing debris and navigating flooded fields that turn muddy and boggy. We even get the added task of removing caked mud from between the hooves of our sheeple🐑

Autumn to spring months also mean increased feeding responsibilities. This can be complicated for our sheeple (sheep and people!). To ensure peaceful snacking, we temporarily separate them: goats to their shelter and the smaller sheeple to another area.

While the sheeple dine, the goats eat in their enclosure. After the sheep have finished their hay, we release the eager goats, who might overindulge (need to ensure no leftover hay), especially Leyla! This feeding process often takes a large chunk of our evening, but it’s worth it for their well-being.

Despite the challenges, every single animal at our sanctuary is precious and holds a special place in our hearts 💚 We dedicate ourselves to ensuring their health and happiness, come rain or shine 🌱💚

25/01/2024

Did you know that you can help us by setting up a personal fundraiser on Instagram, Facebook and PayPal Giving Fund?

You can set up fundraisers for many different reasons to show your support:

💚In memory of a rescued farm animal, pet or a loved one
💚In lieu of birthday, wedding or Christmas gifts
💚Or simply to support our mission, spread awareness and raise vital funds Hooves and Tails.

With just a few clicks, you can create a Facebook or Instagram fundraiser and invite your friends, family, and followers to help support Hooves and Tails. You can find us on Instagram using this link https://www.instagram.com/helpstreetcatsdogs

PAYPAL GIVING FUND
We have a PayPal Giving Fund profile that allows you to donate to us when completing a transaction with PayPal. You are given the option of adding a donation when you use PayPal to make a purchase on a participating merchant's website.
We receive 100% of the donation, and PayPal covers all transaction fees associated with the donation.
To select Hooves and Tails (No 1205698) as your favourite charity, click on the PayPal Giving Fund paypal.com/gb/fundraiser/charity/5034164

With PayPal Giving Fund, you can also support us by starting your own fundraiser to raise vital funds for us. Tap into your own network with a shareable link. Just click on the "Start a Fundraiser" button on our PayPal Giving Fund profile page

Your support will help us to provide food, veterinary care, housing, annual vaccinations and emergency treatments.

10/01/2024

Siblings Leyla and Larry 🐐🐐 are the reason our sanctuary exists today. Their arrival over 6 years ago marked the beginning of Hooves and Tails Sanctuary.

Larry is a bit of a bully yet still adorable and vulnerable. In an unfamiliar setting, he won't leave your side and seeks comfort from you. We've already saved his life three times. He got blocked, and each time he had surgery and lengthy hospital stays with eye-watering vet bills. Touch wood, he has not had a blockage for the last two years 🙏

Leyla, on the other hand, is very sweet, likes her food - eating non-stop, being a chunky girl. People often ask us if she is pregnant. She is second in terms of hierarchy and bullies anyone smaller than her.

They can be hard work sometimes especially during feeding times and if the sheepies get attention, but we love them dearly and give them the best care they need. They are so popular with the members of the public; the sanctuary wouldn't be the same without them 💚

31/12/2023

Reflecting on 2023 at our sanctuary—weather challenges, makeovers and joyous moments with our adorable animal crew 💚🐑🐐

Main highlights included not experiencing extreme droughts but having a lot of rain in April, where the bridge to access additional grazing land was washed away. The sheeple were not impressed, and we had to fish the bridge out of the water.

The sanctuary had a makeover after years of getting by with our DIY pallet shelters and setup. We now have proper shelters to keep the animals warm and dry, making it easier for people who care for our animals.

Another highlight was our sanctuary being granted charitable status, an important step for our animals and their future.

More importantly, we had no major health issues with any of our residents, which meant fewer vet bills.

Other than that, Larry the goat continues to be a bully and mischievous, Leyla can’t stop eating and Hunter still loves drinking his bottle of peach and barley-flavoured squash. Precious is still our forever lamb and gets treated like a diva. Oscar and his mom Kimberly never miss a treat opportunity. We have too many characters to list here, but you get the idea.

Wishing everyone a healthy, happy, prosperous, sheeptastic and goatastic New Year! We hope we can count on your continued support in 2024 for the ongoing care of our rescued animals 🙏

Love from us all - The team at Hooves and Tails 💚🐑🐐

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http://www.hoovesandtails.com/

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Videos

DONATION APPEAL FOR HAY🙏

DONATION APPEAL FOR HAY🙏 We have 55 hungry mouths to feed at our sheep and goat sanctuary. It costs £10 a day to nourish our lovely flock, totalling £70 a week or £280 per month. Every contribution makes a huge difference! Chester here, one of our adorable residents, who adores his daily hay. Let's keep him and his friends happy and healthy! 🐑🐐💚 Whether it's big or small, every donation counts. Please consider sponsoring or donating towards the feeding of our wonderful animals🙏 🔗 Simply click https://www.paypal.com/donate/?hosted_button_id=48KEXJPT76A2J to contribute. Together, we can ensure our furry friends have a warm and well-fed winter. Thank you for your kindness and generosity . . . . . #sheepsanctuary #goathaven #donateforhay #feedtheflock #helpinghooves #animalrescue #hoovesandtails #sheep #shetlandsheep #sheeple #sheepies #rescuesheep #goat #goats #rescuegoats #saanengoats #whitegoats #sanctuary #sanctuarylife #farmanimalsanctuary #sponsorananimal #donate #supportus #supportsanctuaries #donatetosanctuaries

Larry, the Adventurous Explorer! Larry is one extraordinary goat who simply adores exploring his surroundings! There's never a dull moment with him around. Larry loves to venture out and spread his delightful presence. It's no wonder people are left pleasantly surprised when they find this charming goat on their doorstep. 😄 Larry's unexpected visits bring smiles and laughter to everyone lucky enough to encounter him🥰 Not only is he an explorer at heart, but Larry is also incredibly well-behaved during his escapades. He walks with grace and curiosity, capturing the hearts of everyone he meets💚 Speaking of surprises, Larry's feline sister, Luna, had the shock of her nine lives when she saw a goat wandering in her territory😸💚🐐 . . . . . #LarryTheAdventurer #GoatExplorations #SurpriseGuest #WellBehavedGoat #LunaAndLarry #UnexpectedEncounters #NeighborhoodAdventures #CuriousCreature #CharmingGoat #SmilesAndLaughter #FurryFriends #QuirkyPets #GoatLove #HoovesAndTails #Sheep #ShetlandSheep #Sheeple #Sheepies #RescueSheep #Goat #Goats #RescueGoats #SaanenGoats #WhiteGoats #Sanctuary #SanctuaryLife #farmanimalsanctuary #whitegoat #saneengoats #rescuegoats

The sheeple are having a blast with their fresh veggies! 🥕🍅 They're loving the summer life except the lack of rain for fresh grass☀️💚 . . . #SheepLoveVeggies #SanctuaryLife #SummerVibes #RescueSheep #ilovesheep #sheeplover

Larry and his tricks to reach the tree leaves. 💚 💚 #larry #goat #goatstanding #hoovesandtails #sanctuary #rescuegoat #reelsinstagram

Sheep transformation! 🐑✂️ Today was a big day at the sanctuary as our fluffy friends got a fresh new look. Say goodbye to their woolly coats! 😮 Without their fleece, they're practically unrecognizable. 😄 But don't worry, they're still the same lovable sheep underneath! 🥰 A big shoutout to our incredible sheep dogs, Tilly and Sky, who were on duty and did an outstanding job rounding up the flock. We couldn't have done it without them! 🙌 #SheepTransformation #ShearedSheep #FreshLook #NoMoreWoollyCoats #NewStyle #SanctuaryLife #FluffyFriends #TillyAndSky #SheepDogs #SheepSanctuary #AnimalLovers #GratefulForHelp #FlockRoundup #Sanctuary #RescueSheep #flockbeauty

Sheeple playing and chasing each other at the sanctuary! 🐑💕 It's lovely to see these rescue sheep living happily and enjoying their lives to the fullest💚🐑🐏 #Sheep #ShetlandSheep #Sheeple #Sheepies #RescueSheep #Goat #Goats #RescueGoats #SaanenGoats #WhiteGoats#Sanctuary #SanctuaryLife #FarmAnimalSanctuary #SponsorAnAnimal #Donate #SupportUs #SupportSanctuaries #DonateToSanctuaries #CrueltyFree #VeganLifestyle #VeganSanctuary #GoatLover #SheepLover #AnimalLove #SaveAnimals #HappySheep

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