It had been over a fortnight since my last visit to feed Ashley, our orphan foal and I was really looking forward to seeing him again to give him his midnight feed on Sunday evening. As I pulled up outside his stable and looked through the window I soon saw his eager little face peering up at me, expectantly awaiting his nice warm milk and was surprised by how much he had grown since my last visit. It was a cold night, but Ashley was wearing a nice warm quilted rug and seemed very comfortable and content in his stable, next to his friend Mr Khan and Oonagh, Mr Khan's mother and Ashley's grandmother.

Ashley has now progressed to drinking his milk from a bowl and as I entered the stable he was keen to get started with his feed, barely pausing for breath as he dipped his furry muzzle in to the milk and guzzled away until he had had his fill. He then lifted his head from the bowl and nuzzled up to me with milk still dripping from his mouth, which he then proceeded to rub off on my coat!

After a few more cuddles and with a full tummy he then wandered off to say hello to his friend Mr Khan, clearly dismissing me from my duties for the night.

On the drive back home I reflected on how well Ashley was thriving despite having lost his mum and felt very privileged to have had the chance to take a small part in this brave and adorable baby donkey's upbringing.