Our neighbours have again this year brought some of their horses into the field in front of our house, which is  popular with younger guests in particular. Another neighbour has brought some of his sheep into one of our other fields. I’m not sure what breed they are but the sheep in the photo below are Ryelands. They are one of the oldest breeds in the UK and originated in Herefordshire. They were called Ryelands because they were fattened up on areas of ground growing rye (ryelands), and in fact were used to thicken up the sprouting grain by their nibbling. Once in danger of dying out, they have been recognised by the Rare Breed Survival Trust and are now exported to Europe and beyond as well as proving popular with smallholders for their ease of care, excellent wool and meat and success at mothering! Click on the photo to take you to the Ryelands sheep website.