Reindeer? They're not just for Christmas
Some people know that reindeer shed their antlers every year; others will tell you that they are very good swimmers (as well as iers), but few can attest to how soft their noses are. Angie Flint is an expert in all these matters. For the past six years, she and her husband Martin have kept a herd (she, rather endearingly, calls it a ‘pride’) of these enchanting creatures, creating a business out of attending events with Father Christmas’s very own transporters in tow.
‘It’s an amazing job and they’re fantastic to work with,’ she beams.
The couple and their team cover up to 70 events per year – the majority of which, of course, fall in the runup to Christmas – visiting schools, shopping centres, and even Downing Street, to spread the festive cheer. Angie proudly recounts a time when the reindeer and their magni cent sleigh received far more attention than Santa in a Christmas parade.
‘It’s magical – everywhere we go, everyone’s just so happy to see them.’
While Angie and Martin usually take two or four reindeer out at once, they look after a herd of 19 at their farm near Market Harborough in Leicestershire. ‘When I first got reindeer they were wild animals,’ she explains, ‘so we’ve built up to 19 slowly. They take a lot of training and taming.’ Angie’s keen to impress that they all have di erent personalities.
‘Matti loves being in front of the camera. Then we have Oslo, who is very chilled, and Ingamar, who is especially good at pulling the sleigh.’
Most of the reindeer come from breeders in Sweden, and four calves were born on the farm last year. ‘It was very exciting. Bottle feeding reindeer was a whole new experience.’
Their antlers are a testament to the care they receive; at 18 months old, they are sporting majestic sets usually seen only on much older animals. ‘We think it’s because of the nutrition,’ says Angie. ‘Here they live in ve-star luxury.’
Apart from the customary carrots left out on Christmas Eve, the reindeer eat a lot of barley, sugar, wheat and apples. ‘They raid our orchard every year,’ she laughs. ‘They’ve been known to stand up on their hind legs, eating the apples off the trees.’
Angie’s a ection for her charges is undeniable – and the feeling is clearly mutual. After a welcome mince pie we wander round Home Farm and many of the reindeer trot up the field to say a gentle hello. ‘As herd animals, they look up to you as herd leader and they know you’re going to look after them. If you’re relaxed and happy, then they are too.’
Angie is kind but firm when out at events. ‘They are part of the family,’ she says. Her children, James, 13, and Jessica, 10, can barely remember life before the reindeer, accompanying their parents to events and helping with sleigh-pulling practice up and down the farm drive. ‘They think it’s wonderful and quite normal.’
Future plans involve setting up a reindeer association to educate people about the unique animals. ‘We get emails from people who’ve bought reindeer and don’t know what to feed them,’ she says, her smile slipping momentarily. ‘For us, hearing about reindeer who aren’t well looked after is heart-breaking.’
With life spans of up to 30 years, caring for these creatures is no small undertaking. But Angie wouldn’t have it any other way. ‘It’s a lot of work but I cannot imagine doing anything else. Reindeer are not just for Christmas, so to speak.’
www.realreindeer.co.uk
‘It’s an amazing job and they’re fantastic to work with,’ she beams.
The couple and their team cover up to 70 events per year – the majority of which, of course, fall in the runup to Christmas – visiting schools, shopping centres, and even Downing Street, to spread the festive cheer. Angie proudly recounts a time when the reindeer and their magni cent sleigh received far more attention than Santa in a Christmas parade.
‘It’s magical – everywhere we go, everyone’s just so happy to see them.’
While Angie and Martin usually take two or four reindeer out at once, they look after a herd of 19 at their farm near Market Harborough in Leicestershire. ‘When I first got reindeer they were wild animals,’ she explains, ‘so we’ve built up to 19 slowly. They take a lot of training and taming.’ Angie’s keen to impress that they all have di erent personalities.
‘Matti loves being in front of the camera. Then we have Oslo, who is very chilled, and Ingamar, who is especially good at pulling the sleigh.’
Most of the reindeer come from breeders in Sweden, and four calves were born on the farm last year. ‘It was very exciting. Bottle feeding reindeer was a whole new experience.’
Their antlers are a testament to the care they receive; at 18 months old, they are sporting majestic sets usually seen only on much older animals. ‘We think it’s because of the nutrition,’ says Angie. ‘Here they live in ve-star luxury.’
Apart from the customary carrots left out on Christmas Eve, the reindeer eat a lot of barley, sugar, wheat and apples. ‘They raid our orchard every year,’ she laughs. ‘They’ve been known to stand up on their hind legs, eating the apples off the trees.’
Angie’s a ection for her charges is undeniable – and the feeling is clearly mutual. After a welcome mince pie we wander round Home Farm and many of the reindeer trot up the field to say a gentle hello. ‘As herd animals, they look up to you as herd leader and they know you’re going to look after them. If you’re relaxed and happy, then they are too.’
Angie is kind but firm when out at events. ‘They are part of the family,’ she says. Her children, James, 13, and Jessica, 10, can barely remember life before the reindeer, accompanying their parents to events and helping with sleigh-pulling practice up and down the farm drive. ‘They think it’s wonderful and quite normal.’
Future plans involve setting up a reindeer association to educate people about the unique animals. ‘We get emails from people who’ve bought reindeer and don’t know what to feed them,’ she says, her smile slipping momentarily. ‘For us, hearing about reindeer who aren’t well looked after is heart-breaking.’
With life spans of up to 30 years, caring for these creatures is no small undertaking. But Angie wouldn’t have it any other way. ‘It’s a lot of work but I cannot imagine doing anything else. Reindeer are not just for Christmas, so to speak.’
www.realreindeer.co.uk