On Track Now

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I wasn’t going to move the Shetland ponies yet until I received a text yesterday evening from a friend saying that one of her ponies had come in “a bit footy”.

Footiness means their hooves are tender and it is often the first sign of laminitis from newly arriving spring grass.  I didn’t need telling twice.

The ponies had to be moved.

So after their breakfast, I called them all up.

And they were such good boys, leaving their field without question or argument or even a headcollar.

The boys immediately went off to investigate their old paddock and I had opened up their containers too.

OH and I set up the electric fence energisers (one for each side) and I let the ponies out to go down to their track, where they will now stay until winter.

There’s not much grass on the track but there seems to be enough at the moment.  This time of year what is growing is “rocket fuel” and I just can’t take the risk.

The fields have greened up over night, literally (or is that figuratively?)

And everyone has done very well over winter, so if they lost weight, I wouldn’t be too upset.  If they need it, I will also supplement with hay, but I widened the track (to avoid a muddy corner) and they’re not interested in eating this new grass, which I will take as proof that they don’t actually need hay at the moment.

I wish I could make the boys understand that this is for their own good and rocket fuel is always dangerous to fat little ponies.

We go to Town

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I had my shopping list ready (and I also took a photo of it in case I lost it, which I usually do).

I had my companion too and off we went to town – aka Lerwick, Shetland’s capital.

First stop was Harbro (agricultural feed merchant).  They have a lovely sign saying “dogs welcome”, which I expect they will be taking down shortly as Pepper insisted on trying to jump over their counter. She was hyper and not listening.

Then to “the Street”.  We went to LHD – I needed to buy some waterproof gloves and we left as quickly as possible as Pepper was pulling like a determined wee train.  We returned to the car, had words, and I put her Halti on – no pull dog head collar.  Pepper’s attitude changed and she realised I was going to win this battle.  Life became better. The halti changed everything.  Instant control.

Then we went into various shops – with me asking permission first.  I never assume.

The Bank (Royal Bank of Scotland) …..

I love my Bank (for obvious reasons). Where else would one of their staff sit on the floor with my dog, so I can get on?  Thank you Royal Bank of Scotland – never change.

Then into Superdrug, and again everyone was lovely.

The cashier said “I love it when dogs come into the shop”, and Pepper duly wagged her tail and was appreciative of attention (apologies – worst photo ever of Pepper).

Pepper was happy.  She also met other dogs – no fights.  This was good for Pepper. She needs to get out more.

I had a quick go round Tesco’s for supplies and then we drove home.  I have a headache.

 

Not much today.  Yesterday was much nicer, weather-wise so I spent my morning waiting for a physio phone-appointment and trying to value stuff to put on Ebay.  I am finding that Google Image certainly has its limitations.

Anywho, I read somewhere that cats don’t see us as humans, but instead as a rather clumsy larger cats.  Knowing Monster very well, I can believe that.

I also often feel judged.

And yesterday Monster came on his first dog walk of 2026.  He is totally a fair-weather companion. He continued to shoud at everyone too.

And later, when I went into my shed, Monster turned up and paid me a visit, walking only on the path stepping stones, which I thought was rather clever of him.

After a lot of annoying, ie bothering me, deciding where best to sit, more bothering me, he settled in the spot I had made him by the window (mostly because I told him to sit down and shut up, because I had work to do).

I had to work around Monster. It seemed easier. Us clumsy humans have to adapt.

And then Monster found a better bed, which I wish he had found much earlier.

Later we all walked back together to the house for tea.  Another day, another dollar (or pound if we’re being pedantic).

(and Lambie turned up for his breakfast again).

The Grass is Always Greener

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Guess who turned up this morning, after going out into his field with his friends (he snuck back while I was finishing tidying their bedroom)?  Yes, I fed him and yes, I’ve realised I’ve made a rod for my own back but Lambie is a bit thin (that’s my excuse and I’m sticking to it) and I luffs him.

After a very strong cup of coffee (my breakfast), I took the dogs out for their walk. I wanted to check the track’s electric fence, to make sure that when the ponies moved in, all systems would be go or at least zap!

Obviously, I had help.

And the ponies all came rushing over to see what I was doing just in case I had chocolate cake in my pocketses.

Despite having a bit of grass in their field, they all hanker to move onto the track.  I have absolutely no idea why.  There is not one blade of grass on it.

Where the ponies currently live has at least something to eat but apparently that’s not good enough anymore.  The grass is always greener, apparently, even if it doesn’t actually exist.

But I made the most of the nice weather and had a sit down spending some special time with Tiddles (‘scuse the many chins).

I am in two minds when to move the ponies over to their track. It is all ready and waiting.  We most certainly don’t want laminitis again and they have wintered well but there really is not one blade of grass there and I will only end up having to feed them very expensive hay, which seems ridiculous when they are ok where they are.  I dunno. I never know.  Answers on a postcard, please.

Channeling his Inner Edna

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Some of you may remember Edna.  A hobbit-like ewe who enjoyed her many breakfasts.

Always, Edna would follow me back after breakfast to have another one.  It was her routine and we duly obliged because she was very old, had no teeth and asked politely.  Edna was the only sheep ever allowed legitimately in the feed shed.  Others are not encouraged.

But now Lambie has decided to channel his inner Edna and, instead of following everyone else out into their field, like he has always done all his life since time began ….

….. he now doubles back and today I found him by the feed shed, looking hopeful.

That little face – how can I say no?  No one could be that mean, surely.

So, because Lambie is now the oldest of the sheep, and because he asked so nicely and because I think he looking a little thin, and because I have the word MUG tattooed on my forehead, I fed him another breakfast and he got fresh water too, because he is drinking more, I’ve noticed.

I can see this becoming a routine.  Edna would’ve approved.

Every morning, when I go back thinking my work here is done, and put the empty buckets back in the feed shed, there will be a not-so-little Lambie waiting for me looking hopeful.  I know it.

And just as Lambie was finishing up his second breakfast, ‘Ster appeared out of nowhere.

And then ‘Bert quickly followed behind him and Lambie left them to finish up the last crumbs.  I told them all to go back to the field like I had originally planned, please and they ignored me.