Here at Blithbury Reindeer Lodge we look after a large herd of reindeer which probably isn’t common knowledge to a lot of people outside the farm. One of the reasons why we are doing this blog and website is to try and educate the general public on the welfare and upkeep of reindeer. We get quite a few comments from the media and general public at Christmas who sort of read comics at 3.00 o’clock in the morning and become experts on reindeer which is not really fact. Over 1,000 years ago reindeer were brought over to England by the Vikings. The neighbouring village to the lodge, Abbots Bromley, has on the first Monday in September a Pagan Dance which is a routine dance with reindeer antlers and people come from all over the world to see this Pagan festivity which has gone on for hundreds of years. Reindeer died out when the Vikings left and it is very ironic that I now have reindeer 2 miles away from where they originated from.

The reindeer we have here in Blithbury are free range. They have access to field shelters, water, free access to the farm and live happily in their compatible groups which they like. We have never had any escape of yet. The reindeer, when it comes to the Christmas side of things, get really excited because they know they are going out on shows where they get loads of fusses and treats. Until you have done this and see them you wouldn’t believe it.

Until you have owned or worked with reindeer you will never know what the animal is like. There is no two reindeer the same and once you have trained a reindeer into sleigh pulling he will be your best buddy for life because they will look upon you as their best friend for whatever you want. They look upon you for protection etc. for when you think about Scandinavia the reindeer have the worry of the lynx, wolverines, eagles, bears, wolves, foxes, wild dogs, and of course the layabouts that think it is clever to speed around on snow scooters and chase the females around late at night causing them to abort their calves late at night in the forest. The only predators they have here in England is people trying to send them back to Scandinavia.