Meist werden wir auf dem Boden schießen, als solltest du enge steile Treppen ohne Furcht klettern. Kleidung: feste Schuhe, keine zu lose Kleidung. Für Links- und Rechtshänder geeignet. Es liegt aber am fokussierenden Auge und nicht nur an der Hand. Wir schießen im Einklang mit unserem Atem. Gleichzeitige Konzentration, Achtsamkeit, fokussieren ohne zu zielen, die ursprünglichste Art des Bogenschießen. Findest du deinen Mittelpunkt, dich auf dieses Abenteuer einzulassen? Es ist buchstäblich spannend.

But sometimes, when the weather is favorable, the animals are in the pastures, the meadows are harvested, we will be able to shoot in the sunset.

Link to our program: https://www.fluetjerhof.de/bogenschiessen/

Der Beitrag Archery erschien zuerst auf Flütjerhof - dein Hof zum Anfassen.

A great article in the Saturday release of the 11th/12th March of reporter Kira Muelle of the Hassian-lower Saxony Common Newspaper telling about us. Not only we had been on the front page, on page 4 the report is brilliantly written (available in German only, sorry!)

We are so happy of this very exact and trueful article of the Fluetjerhof. In case someone still is scared to call us: Yes, we are here. And yes, it is really true, you can really cuddle cows here. Or being together with our horses. Or to come – with or without your children – to our poneys. We look forward to meeting you. Many thanks and hopefully to see you soon at the Fluetjerhof, yours Maren

Der Beitrag The newspaper HNA has reported again about us at the Fluetjerhof in their release of 11th March 2023 erschien zuerst auf Flütjerhof - dein Hof zum Anfassen.

Until now, we had dumped the manure in front of Ingo’s trailer and he loaded it by hand every day. Or we loaded it up. That goes mighty on the back, and my intervertebral discs had already raised the red flag last winter.

And after a long search, no, none of the known yard tracs. They were all discarded due to the above-mentioned wishes. I almost bought a normal Hoftrac in Berlin in new, because even used they cost a fortune. And then I found him. The one. The ANDIFANT.

I love the andifant. There is nothing cooler. Well, the controller only knows 0 and 1. Drives or does not drive. You have to get in tune with each other first. But then – the baby is electric. Turns on the spot. Is only 88 cm wide. And has a GIGANTIC bucket that he can lift and tip mega high. And we have a crocodile bit to go with it and a pallet fork. And what weight the andifant can lift.

For us, the perfect device to load cow and horse manure. And to dispel the romanticists illusion, our few animals manage 2 tons of manure in about a week! Imagine shoveling that!

In order to be able to sort the manure from the straw as well as possible, we have purchased another machine. There is nothing like good machines. Because with the pony droppings and the cow patties – and we had particularly long very dry straw in 2022 – we don’t get very far with the long straw. So, after – again – a long search, we were able to buy a used straw chopper in southern Germany. The straw chopper, also an old sweetheart, but the manufacturer is still producing now newer and bigger ones certainly. So he chops and blows chopped straw from the hayloft down with all his might, and it’s fun for everyone to operate the machines. Children under supervision are also allowed to help, which brings great pleasure to all.

Der Beitrag Winter time – stable time – manure time erschien zuerst auf Flütjerhof - dein Hof zum Anfassen.

United at last. What God has joined together, man must not separate. The dream team Lotte and her dad Ingo. In a very solemn act on time at midnight for his birthday, Ingo was given Lotte. Lotte was made pretty for over an hour by many little and big hands, with purple glitter on her legs and tiny hooves, and a biiig golden bow around her neck.

The story of Lotte – sorry, Elise vom Giltengrund is her real name

Nickname Lieselotte, was unceremoniously shortened by Ingo to Lotte. They met in October 2020. You have to imagine, two opposite corners of a large barn and Lotte immediately ran up to him and docked. But we were not there for her at all, but for her mother, who was supposed to come to us as a child pony. The condition for the dam pony mare was that we take her and the foal because it was too early to wean.

And so it went on with the two of them, Ingo and Lotte. Since Lotte has been with us, the two are inseparable and she always flits to him. And so she stayed with us, actually she was supposed to go on. But as it is among lovers. Lotte, by the way, went into the house for the handover with just a bit of resistance, she was a bit spooked and slippery under the little hooves.

Lotte is of course also part of the Flütjerhof program, for horse cuddling and mindfulness with horses or ponies. On the farm or during a walk or in our pastures. To be honest, she’s also hard to get rid of her.

Der Beitrag Horse daddy Ingo erschien zuerst auf Flütjerhof - dein Hof zum Anfassen.

So we put up fences upon fences, and for the most part the cattle were in one pasture, the ponies in another (and in the barn for a long time due to illness), and the horses in a third pasture. Driving to and checking 3 pastures every day, and that besides the “real” work. It was exhausting. But what we do not do everything for those entrusted to us! And somehow it kept going. Thank you to everyone who gave us such great support. Then thanks to Anne, Reinhard and Michael for the meadows, the hay provision from the local farmer, the neighbors for the dry bread, all helping hands, our children who are always there for us when, for example: the ponies have escaped! There were many more people like animals gathered together, the runaways stood there with their heads down and sugar looks as if to say nothing has happened. Then there are the countless magic moments with people and animals, the moments when you didn’t have a camera with you, that make everyone’s heart grow wide.

The cow cuddlers. What an amazing kind of species you are. Just to underline it: Cow cuddlers are the best of mankind. And we’ve never had so many guests before. They were all quite fantastic meetings, great personalities, from Munich to Berlin, from Osnabrück to Würzburg, Bielefeld and Braunschweig came the guests. Even our word has been spreading to California, Washington DC, our friends from Australia – Welcome, Down Under! and Finland. And, of course, also from nearby. THANKS for YOUR valuable visits!

The perfect shetty weather: Cold and dry

So today I’ve put together a few photos from this year for you – hope you like them.

Der Beitrag Action Year 2022 erschien zuerst auf Flütjerhof - dein Hof zum Anfassen.

The call, shortly before noon on a Tuesday. You have a dead calf in your meadow. The heart stops. Impossible.

Hastily called our neighbor. He confirms it’s dead. He would pick it up and put it next to our tractor in the barn. The crows had already pecked at it. I, completely exasperated, thought it was the calf Lissi from January. Because I could never imagine that it could possibly be the too early first calf from our Nikki. Yesterday evening, everything had still been looking quiet and normal. I called the knacker. There came already the next call from our neighbor, call the vet immediately, it is still breathing. Immediately called the vet. The neighbor sends me photos. A calf completely unknown to me lies there. This is all but not our Lissi! It was the new one, 14 days early. Normally, I see it when calving is imminent. Not this time. A heartfelt thank you

the attentive observer, the savior, who informed me

our dear neighbors for the immediate action and protect the little premature baby

the large animal practice Grosstierpraxis Moringen for the immediate coming and professional treatment of the premature baby. https://www.grosstierpraxis-moringen.de/

Three times grateful.

A first “Eww!” makes the maternal instincts burst out, until then mum Nikki was reserved, as she had given up on her daughter. Milked off the mother Nikki and gave the little one her first colostrum via a syringe. After that we brought the mother Nikki and calf home to the barn. The unnamed calf in the boot of the car and mum Nikki running after the car, on the halter lead by me. 3 days and 2 nights later the baby could stand finally on her own legs and search for her drink at her mothers udder.

Until then, we always milked the mom and fed the little one with the bucket and teat. At least the sucking and swallowing reflex worked most of the time.

Our little drama queen. Everyone takes care of you 🙂 – on the 4th day she was strange again. Not the way she should`ve been. Rapid heart rate, low-grade fever. Again the vet came. After thorough questioning and examination: she has constipation. The phenomenon was completely unknown to me. After her treatment all was well again with her.

The name, a challenge this time, alone, because of the struggle for survival. A suggestion, an abbreviation of a Gaelic name, the little fighter, she is now called Nola. Wonder calf Nola.

Der Beitrag Drama around Nikki’s daughter erschien zuerst auf Flütjerhof - dein Hof zum Anfassen.

The special event: Cow cuddling in Lower Saxony. In Southern Lower Saxony. We would be happy to welcome you. But now the virus has caught us too. Ingo and I will be out for a few days. But, even if we can’t personally, vouchers are still more and more popular – I bet there are still a lot of cow lovers who would like to make their friends, relatives or colleagues happy 🙂

Or for our ponies – they are also available for pony cuddling. Or go gently into mindfulness with the horse – Easter challenge: be in the here and now! Instead of being with the animals, we rely on our team led by Mimi. And I’m currently reorganizing our website. Look below, there is now the option in the header to display our site in English and French. It’s not optimal yet, but it’s a start. And some other features.

Whatever is right for you right now: stay in the moment. And treat yourself to a break soon, supported by our animals, be it a cow, pony, horse or dog.

With that in mind, take care! We look forward to seeing & meeting you soon.

Der Beitrag Happy Easter! erschien zuerst auf Flütjerhof - dein Hof zum Anfassen.

Mrs Darceys is a 5 year old, about 1 meter tall, brown piebald Shetland mare. Besides cuddling, scratching and grabbing treats from the bag, Mrs Darcey does guided horseback riding with small children, who are there regularly and help with everything. In addition, we have hitched tires behind her and even had her in front of the carriage.

So that Mrs Darceys doesn’t remain alone among the big horses, we looked for a friend. It took a long time, but now Marcys – called Mimi – and her daughter Elisa vom Giltengrund are her TWO new friends.

Since Elisa’s nickname is Lieselotte, Ingo pragmatically made it Lotte 🙂 – now we call the little pompom ball Lotte, affectionately sometimes Lotti.

We are very happy about the expansion of our animal family 🙂 – Being curious? They look forward to crawl units!

Der Beitrag Our Shetties erschien zuerst auf Flütjerhof - dein Hof zum Anfassen.

Just click here and take a look at the pretty apartment. It gets booked up quickly, so call early if you’re interested and ask about availability.

There is of course much more here in Dransfeld. Hiking in our beautiful beech forests, or riding up and down the mountains on an e-mountain bike. Feel the peace and quiet deep in the forest. In 10 minutes you are in Göttingen. And don’t forget to have a coffee or an ice cream. At least ice cream is already available for out-of-home sales. And of course don’t forget to cuddle with our children’s horses and our little cows.

Der Beitrag Visit to the Flütjerhof and then spend the night in a beautiful holiday home erschien zuerst auf Flütjerhof - dein Hof zum Anfassen.

Der Beitrag HNA article from July 24th, 2021: Cow cuddling in Dransfeld erschien zuerst auf Flütjerhof - dein Hof zum Anfassen.