I am trying a new way of field management this year – letting the horses and ponies take the top off and then quickly moving them on before the field becomes a mire.  They will return later and hopefully there will be some more autumn grass growth.

There is a huge storm forecast for the next couple of days and everyone was delighted to move.

Can you see the family resemblance?  These two are cousins.

The Minions followed their hero, Taktur and will no doubt continue to be a plague to him.  They move as a military formation…..

and then surround the “enemy”!

Kappi was very unimpressed with all this.  He, and Klaengur, are not being moved.  So for a while I watched Kappi trying to undo the gate.

I realise Haakon and Iacs are not exactly thin, but they are old and will never regain their youthful teenage figure so it is better for them to just happily be themselves.  Kappi and Klængur are young and it is unhealthy to be that fat at their age.

Afterwards, I popped to Jo’s with a big bag of barley rings for Raw Deal and had a quick chat with the visiting bird.

While I was at Jo’s, the storm started.  It is a bit like someone throwing buckets of water at the house.  This sort of weather puts out the electricity so I will finish before it goes.

Stay safe x

Edited:  2 minutes later – I let Kappi and Klaengur through to join the others.  It is now shitting down (meteorological term actually) and I just can’t leave them in a starvation field in a Force 9 gale with buckets of water being thrown at them horizontally.  I wouldn’t sleep at night knowing this.  They can go back to starving when it is less revolting outside.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I don’t sleep much these days and it interferes with my daily life.  I hate not sleeping but last night, I slept well, probably too well and to make up for it, I decided today would be a day of activity and exercise.

All the horses and ponies were put in Klængur and Kappi’s diet field – Taktur was very pleased to his friend, Kappi.

As were Kappi’s little “kids”.  Remember, Kappi is the official Chief Baby Sitter.

And work began….

First Kappi – I free-reined him to some energetic 80’s disco music for 20 minutes.  We both enjoyed this and I have learned about body language (his and mine).  I don’t want him to join up with me and I can ask him to walk, trot or canter on request.

We work on both reins and he enjoys it – ears pricked, smiley face and lots of praise when he does good.  He has a great trot and I hope he is losing weight.

His reward after the hard work is one carrot!

Outside The Minions were entertaining themselves.

They were in a silly-billy mood so I left them to it. Tomorrow is another day.

Playing together is far more fun.  What little boys want brushing on a Sunday morning?

I rode Taktur for his 20 minute walking work out.  He was very energetic and managed to spook when he snorted.  He had his daily feed with BeAnne’s helpful hoovering.

Next was Haakon’s turn.  It was windy outside but I didn’t just want to go round and round in circles in the school.

We went out, taking BeAnne too.  She likes this kind of walk.

(I love her silhouette – she looks like Gnasher)

And lastly, it was Klængur’s turn.  I rode him in the school and we practiced all the dressage moves we had learned recently with Hamish Cameron.  Our shoulder-in and travers were beautiful and I am very proud of how Klængur is coming along.

 

(is it wrong to wish he was getting just a little bit thinner?)

I know it seems that I actually never do anything, but I came home from the Lerwick Shetland pony sales feeling weary.

After the Sales, I had a one hour riding lesson in the evening on Klængur with Hamish Cameron.  Klæengur was brilliant and the pair of us concentrated for an hour doing lateral work, including travers (so proud, we were bloody brilliant) and shoulder in, which we were even more bloody brilliant.

Of course no photos so you will never no just how bloody brilliant we were.  So you know, we were beyond fabularse!

Anyway, today, I am exhausted. I woke with the mother of all migraines and many pills later felt I could face the world. As it was a day of shite, I had a day off from the horses and pottered about trying not to think “ouch my back”.

Because it rained all day, I felt sorry for the starlings and plopped some food on the bird table, sat back to see the fight.

    

My reward for abstinence from purchasing small furries and because I needed cheering up, there was the most gorgeous sunset.

Hopefully tomorrow I will be more active.  I need to rest after days out like that.

I do still luff that little ginger-nut colt………

Today was the show and sale of registered pedigree Shetland ponies in Lerwick, Shetland’s capital.

There were over 100 ponies present and the place was fairly full with a live web-cast auction too so folk south could bid as well.

I wandered about with my camera, chatted to various breeders, buyers and spectators and gazed with my hands stuck into my pockets at the wide selection of Shetland ponies.  I did not get a bidding card and I did not buy anything despite falling in love with three little minis.

A delicious ginger nut colt….

And two black and white girlies.

I would say that the prices were not brilliant but breeders took their stock back rather than sell for pennies and I applaud their choice.

The Marts consist of a large penned area behind the sale ring.  There the ponies are allocated pens according to their Stud.

There is plenty of room and lots of straw.  Every pony has a constant supply of fresh water and hay.

But it is a long day for the foals who are weaned and in a very new environment.

They are with their friends and I am sure that helps.

In the front of the building is the ring where we all sit or stand.

I tried very hard not to move, blow my nose or twitch just in case I end up having bought something!

(when I took this photo, I had a horrid feeling, I had just acquired another!)

If you are a seller, you have the chance to talk to the auctioneer and tell him what you want so you don’t have to sell if you don’t think the price is good enough or whatever.

After the sale, they leave the ring, if sold and go to the various shipping pens.

They are marked so they are successfully sent to their new homes.

The whole thing runs like clockwork due to the hard work of everyone behind the scenes.

And there is always The Raffle.  Every Shetland event has a raffle. It is The Law, I think.

Travel safely little Shetland ponies from Shetland.  I hope lovely homes are waiting for you.

 

 

 

 

 

 

I am worried about Millhouse Raw Deal.    Despite our ministrations (worming and teeth), she is not keeping on the weight.  She is 22 years old and we have had her since the beginning of our breeding programme at Thordale Stud in 2008.

She is eating well and has extra hard feed which she happily tucks into but the weight is not there. Her backbone is beginning to show and a hard Shetland winter is about to arrive.  We can give her shelter, unlimited food including hard food and monitor her progress.  If she is still not maintaining her weight, then we will make the final decision.

Born in 1992, she has had 6 foals in her life and was the Royal Highland Show Champion in 1996.

Delia, as we call her, really is a lovely kind easy girl who was the best mother to Carina, Gwendolinda and Kiki.  The sort of “lady” you can lead about by her chin hairs and she would never have an objection.  Well, you know what I mean!

I can’t really imagine the herd without her solid self being around, baby-sitting when required and teaching everyone how to behave.  One of our original matriarchs but she is slowly going down the herd hierarchy and that is always sad for dominant mare.  Her eyes are sad too.  She looks tired.

Pooh.  I hate these decisions and I hate them looming. I feel so useless.  22 is no age.

So fattening vibes for Raw Deal please.  She is a dear girl.