Longmeadow Rescue Ranch Barn Buddy
Snortin Norton's Story
Believe it or not, Snortin Norton was born as the runt of the litter at a factory farm. He was so small that employees had to bottle-feed him. One of the employees became very attached to him, so she bought him as a pet at auction. Knowing how big a domestic pig can get, she called Longmeadow Rescue Ranch before purchasing Norton to make sure they had enough room for him if it didn’t work out. And just as she feared, after keeping Norton for several months, he began to grow so fast that she could no longer care for him, and so he came to live at Longmeadow, where he quickly became the official pig mascot.
Snortin Norton's Health
Norton is white with very big ears (at least compared to the potbellied pigs’ ears). He was healthy when he came to Longmeadow so he just needs preventative healthcare. He lives in the Milk Barn in a private stall with plenty of hay to sleep in. He’s fed three cups of Top Hog Food twice a day and has all the water he wants to drink. Norton loves to play outside daily in an exercise pen. He especially likes to play tag with the Ranch’s miniature horse mascots Amigo and Rowdi, even though he is bigger than the two of them put together! He is vaccinated against a variety of pig diseases and is de-wormed for parasites regularly. He hasn’t had to have his hooves trimmed yet, but staffers watch his feet closely so that they do not get too long. Pigs cannot sweat, so on a hot day they need to find someplace cool, like in the mud or under a sprinkler, so they don’t overheat. Norton has solved his overheating problem by turning over all of the water dishes in his outside pen to make a big mud hole, which he lays in all day long. It’s a good thing Norton likes water, because after a day in his mud hole, staffers have to spray him off before he can come into his stall!
Snortin Norton's Personality
Norton is a very friendly, nosy pig. He sometimes gets to roam Longmeadow on his own, but usually gets into trouble before too long. Staffers will typically find him scaring the new horses, taking all the halters and lead ropes off the front of the stalls or trying to break into the feed rooms for a snack. Norton also loves to have his belly scratched and will flop over in front of you if he thinks you are willing to scratch him. So when you come to visit, be prepared to give Norton a belly.
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