OH went to the Big L (Lerwick) for some messages as we are down to just 3 leeks in the fridge. So, I had the day to myself. 

Each day I assess what I can and can’t do, and then try to aim for achieving something.  

Riding has taken a back seat now (it hurts more than it is fun) but I wanted to walk the dogs, feed Taktur as well as dishing out the daily carrots.

The ponies were easy enough.  Taktur comes when he is called and everyone was charming.

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The equine dentist has been rescheduled to come again tomorrow morning – his flight didn’t get in due to bad weather.  Everything is ready, again.

I walked the dogs and they checked their (p)emails and had a happy time

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The hill was glorious.

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 I hobbled slowly until I saw the showers coming in from the sea

and then I turned round and Jack shot off home like a deaf homing pigeon!

We met Wussums on our travels too so that was the whole family out and about.

Mostly they wander up when they are called, everyone lines up along the fence for their daily carrot and mostly everyone is charming.

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There is no fighting, bad words or pulling faces (apart from the lovely smiles).

Except for when Hammy appears and then all bets are off. Normally, he is a loving dear boy

but he has recently turned into Mr Hyde.

and it is not very pretty.

Luckily, absolutely no one takes him seriously and I particularly love Indy’s unpeturbed face

which only winds Hammy up further as he realises no one is scared of him or going to let him have their carrot.

Poor little Hammy.  Jekyll and Hyde!

Or seize the day.  After four difficult attempts, I finally got up, out and at ’em.

I adore Taktur, my Icelandic stallion. Bless him, he is so easy.  

Ready and waiting by the gate, he followed me into the school for his grub.

And then I led him back out to his field just as easily.  It does make life so much better.

Then I cleared the school, and made everything ready for tomorrow’s exploits – the Equine Dentist’s appearance. Hopefully, he will have his own equipment with him, but I set aside a bucket of water for rinsing the rasps, our own Shetland pony rasps, gag and a pile of headcollars for the helpers.  I will leave a list so, if I am incapacitated, they will know what and who to do.  There are also 3 haynets filled and tied up for those in the dental waiting room.

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I hope it goes smoothly.  Haakon is not the easiest of patients.  Last time the dentist had to walk backwards round the school, while Jo held Haakon’s back leg up (a little known fact is that Haakon can actually rear on one leg.) Sod!

The others are mainly a check-up although Vitamin is having a hook sorted, I hope. Janette is kindly bringing her over (with hers) and to check she has the right pony, sent me this photo for identification.

In Janette’s defence, yesterday was very windy and I think that is Vitamin!

The boys are all fine and to prove it, here are some pics from today (that is Iacs’ intelligent face).

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And who can resist this monkey?

The weather forecast looks like this and that black alien-like blob is a bit scary!

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So I can’t really go out and feed Taktur or do anything, which is just as well as my legs are not co-operating with the rest of me.

I have not gone near the horses/ponies today and feel very guilty.

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Having said that, I was worried that they were suffering, but they’re not hiding from this weather at all. Thank the Gods for hardy Natives and Icelandics.

My house resembles Widow Twankey’s Laundry as I am getting my stuff ready just in case I have to go into hospital.  It was all fusty and in a bag from last time round.

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This is Wishy-Washy (aka Wussums) who has taken to following me about….

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And of course my ever faithful never-going-to-leave-you-ever companion, BeAnne. 

I wish I could take her with me.  I could cope better with the thought of hospital knowing she was with me.  I have a feeling the NHS would object quite strongly.

I think this may be one of my last rides on Haakon or any horse tbh.  I wanted someone to photograph me (Jo is away south) as I have a feeling there won’t be much more of this pastime. Luckily the snow has gone but my daily routine is becoming increasingly difficult.

Janette came over to ride Iacs (he loves it and waits for her every day by the gate).  I gave her a few pointers and showed her husband how to work my camera.

I said everything would be fine as long as he didn’t take any photos of the ceiling.  He then looked rather sheepish and now I know why! LOL!

So here I am on my boy of 19 years, Haakon.  Excuse all the bits pointing in the wrong way and hands in the wrong place, etc.  Don’t point them out to me because there is nothing I can do to change.

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I am extremely proud of Haakon’s tölt,  Ok, it is not something anyone would write home about but it is smooth, comfortable and we can do figures of eight and circuits around the school without breaking the gait, which is a huge achievement for us.  

Haakon has always favoured piggy pace throughout his life.  We don’t go very fast, these days and I only last for about 20 minutes but that is enough for both of us.  I am counting the minutes I have left riding him.

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He knows, you know.  He doesn’t canter anymore up the track with me (has done for the last 15 years).  He just tölts or walks. It is funny, though, I stop hurting when I ride.  It is the only time of the day when I just don’t notice it.