Our Yorkshire Farm viewers left sobbing as Amanda Owen breaks down in tears while telling her children their Shetland Pony, Joe, 40, has died 

  • Owen family said goodbye to their beloved pet pony Little Jo, who was 40
  • Yorkshire Shepherdess Amanda Owen found the pony didn't died overnight  
  • Cried as she broke the news to her children with viewers at home sobbing with emotional scenes 

Our Yorkshire Farm viewers were left sobbing last night after the Owen family said goodbye to their beloved pony Little Jo.       

Shepherdess and mother-of-nine Amanda Owen was praised as the 'perfect parent' by viewers of the Channel 5 show for showing her children the 'circle of life' after their 40-year-old pet passed away. 

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The series, which has been airing since 2015, follows the life of shepherds Amanda, and Clive and their brood of nine on their farm in Upper Swaledale, North Yorkshire.

Amanda,  47, gave up her modelling career to become a shepherdess and now runs  a 2,000-acre tenant farm with her husband.

Our Yorkshire Farm viewers were left sobbing last night after the Owen family said goodbye to their beloved horse Little Jo (pictured with Amanda Owen)
Shepherdess and mother-of-nine Amanda Owen was praised as the 'perfect parent' by viewers of the Channel 5 show for showing her children the 'circle of life' after their 40-year-old pet (pictured)  passed away.

They manage their flock of around 1,000 sheep and run a B&B while raising their 'free-range' children - ranging from four-year-old Nancy, to Raven, 20, who has left to study at University.    

In last night's episode, Amanda had to tell her children that their beloved pet pony Little Joe had died suddenly over night.

Amanda had headed to see the ponies in the morning to check on them but found the elderly horse hadn't woken up.   

Despite getting use to the circle of life while working on the farm,  Amanda was visibly upset by the death of the beloved family pony Little Joe, 40, who all her children had grown up with..

The series, which has been airing since 2015, follows the life of shepherds Amanda, and Clive and their brood of nine on their farm in Upper Swaledale, North Yorkshire. Amanda is pictured with another Pony
Pictured: Dad Clive, 67, Mum Amanda, 46, have nine children: - Raven, 20, Reuben, 17, Miles, 15, Edith, 12, Violet, ten, Sidney, nine, Annas, seven, Clementine (known as Clemmie or Tilly), five, and four-year-old Nancy

Amanda sobbed as Clemmy, five, and Nancy, four, said goodbye to their pet.

All the children pitch in with helping out on the farm, with Clemmy often taking care of the family's ponies. In the past, she said Tony the Pony was her best friend and Amanda's Instagram feed is full of pictures of her youngest children riding them.  

Who are the Owen family? 

Dad Clive, 67, Mum Amanda, 46, have nine children: -  Raven, 20, Reuben, 17, Miles, 15, Edith, 12, Violet, ten, Sidney, nine, Annas, seven, Clementine (known as Clemmie or Tilly), five, and four-year-old Nancy 

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In heart-breaking scenes,  youngest child Nancy asked: 'Is that pony going to die?' pointing towards Tony.

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But mother  Amanda explained to her little ones that Tony was still very young and Joe had died of old age. 

The average lifespan of a pony is 25 to 30 - meaning Little Joe was exceptionally old. 

'What happened? Did he get old to die?' Nancy asked.

'He did, But he didn't suffer, he just dropped' Amanda added,  'He just obviously had a heart attack.' 

 'Well one good thing, I've looked after him really well,' added Clemmie

'You did look after him really well,' Amanda said.

'He's been fed really good and he's grown a lot of wool that's really cosy,' Clemmie went on.

'I don't think there could be a better looked-after pony,' Amanda replied. 'Say night-night,' as Nancy stroked the pony a final time.

Through tears she went on: 'He had a good life. We're really going to miss him. 

Viewers were moved to tears by the heartwrenching scenes with one writing: ' Tony the Pony looking for Joe or Clemmie is too much. I¿m a snotty mess'.

 Speaking to cameras, Amanda explained how the whole family was 'really upset by it' while oldest Raven returning from University to say goodbye.  

'Raven's really upset about losing Little Joe, he's been a continuous presence in her life.'

The family then decorated a tree in memory of Little Joe adding pictures in a sweet tribute.

Viewers were moved to tears by the heartwrenching scenes with one writing: ' Tony the Pony looking for Joe or Clemmie is too much. I’m a snotty mess'.

Another added: 'RIP Little Joe'

'Rest in peace lil joe. we’re all out here crying.

'Well that’s me crying then #OurYorkshireFarm' said a third.     

Speaking exclusively to FEMAIL about filming the new series, Amanda said: 'The filming of the series presented us with new challenges over and above the usual trials that we face on our remote and isolated farm. 

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Amanda has often been praised for the way she's raised her children, but recently branded others of their generation 'snowflakes' saying they 'can't do anything for themselves'.

'The nature of the programme is that it is entirely without script or choreography and it is vitally important that as situations arise on the farm that the cameras keep rolling. 

'Particularly with the first episode that was self-filmed, it is reliant on the children using the camera and sound equipment. 

'There was one particular occasion whereby a camera was lost in deep snow and wasn't found until the thaw came a few weeks later. During the winter period it was incredibly difficult to operate the cameras as conditions were so dire and my hands so cold that I couldn't switch the cameras on and off! 

'The triumph though is the end result which will take viewers to the most extreme, inaccessible and bleakest of places during the depths of winter. 

'I am grateful to have been given the opportunity to make this programme and feel privileged to be able to showcase our beautiful British countryside and to take viewers alongside us as we navigate our way through the farming year'.

Our Yorkshire Farm airs Tuesday at 9pm on Channel 5