Do you remember this mare who, in the middle of March, nearly died with hyperlipaemia?

I went to see her today as she was moved to a field nearer to me yesterday.

The difference is huge.  She looks wonderful and very changed from the dying mare in Spring.

When I nursed her for that week 24/7, she never acknowledged my presence with any gratitude or love.  I was tolerated and along with all I did, but there was never any communication or reaction from her with me.

I honestly didn’t mind.  Some do, some don’t.  But we all did our best for her no matter what.

Today, I could see what she was meant to be like. I could see her character – an aloof mare who watches everything and everyone. She has a huge sense of pride and the look-at-me factor.

When I was in her field today, she always walked away from me.  We never had contact even though she was well aware of me taking photos.  The rest of the herd were very busy mugging me for some carrots I had hidden in my pocket or busy chasing BeAnne.

I was walking away, having taken my photos, when she suddenly left the herd, trotted up and touched my hand, looked me in the eye and trotted off again.

Who knows what that was all about but I am glad she did it.  A small connection.  I never asked her for anything.

Most odd but most appreciated.

I saw this and immediately thought of my little Minions today.

Storm with his “Best Boy” face.  I love this. He tries so hard to be one of the guys and while the effort is always huge, he is often ignored.

Bless him. I could kiss his nosey all day (and he secretly loves his hugs).

Silver is the grown up.

Life can be serious but when he smiles, his whole face lights up.

Waffle is the class clown.

He follows his own path and listens to his own voices without any interruptions.  Everything comes easy to Waffle.

And last but never least is little Tiddles or Tids, as we call him.

He has blossomed into the nicest little chap anyone could ever wish for.

Beauty surrounds us in many forms.  No one is more beautiful than another, just perhaps different but everyone is loved the same and their hearts always shine through.

(our wild flowers are pretty good too)

I want Foalie to have a friend.  He is beginning to bounce and annoy Hetja, his long-suffering mother.

So I asked Bjørn if I could borrow a standard Shetland mare and colt foal for Foalie.  We took the beautiful Aria and her son around yesterday evening.

Hetja was very unimpressed with my brilliant idea.

She was a cowbag.

Little Foalie, however, was desperate to talk to his new potential friend.

For a while we were hopeful that this was a good plan and all would be well.

But Hetja would have none of it.

Last night, I received a message from Jo saying that she had to split them up as Hetja would not give up her cowbag status.  Not good.  The foals now would get to know each other with a fence between them.

We went over this afternoon to find everyone together again and a tentative peace reigning.

Hetja had given up chasing and apparently had knocked down the fence between the two families.

While Daisy fed carrots to Hetja and chatted to Foalie, I went over to see Aria.  She was fine, a few bites but nothing worrying.  I fed her a carrot and told her to see how things go.

We will constantly monitor the situation. I think, and desperately hope, that the the boys will make friends and the mothers will leave them to it while concentrating on the more important matters like eating.

To be honest, I was surprised at Hetja’s cowbagness but Foalie is her first foal and she loves him to bits.  She will calm down, eventually!

We may never set the world on fire but who cares.

We do what we do, ie rescue those that need us and give them a job, some self respect and make them feel loved.

(The Minions taking it upon themselves to “guard” their stallion, Taktur, against any marauding local tigers.)

My horse, Haakon, has been my best friend for over 18 years.  I would be lost without him and he is still just the same as always. He never changes.

He only has to flick those beautiful black trimmed ears, I melt and give him the world.

The workforce!  Ok, some of the workforce but that is how we role in this Shire.  Relaxed, happy and we all get on.

To many, Lambert and Lambie are just orphan sheep who would make nice rugs (yes, it has been said, often), better off dead and are no use to anyone.

To me, they are my boys and I love them very much, would give them the world and they are part of my family.  My motto is “whatever it takes” as I took them on as my responsibility.  That is what Family means.

Folk seriously under-estimate sheep and they make the best faithful loyal pets.

And when your daughter says she wants a new pony because she is bored of the one you gave her when she was eight, show her this photo.  Daisy would never trade Iacs in for a better one.  He has been her’s since she was little and nothing has changed.  They are a team.  Forever.

Yup, so no surprises, no nothing, just us…… That is how we are.  Simple and ordinary.

Still no name.

Still adorable.

Still listening to his mother.

Still nosey.

Still divine.

Still tickly.

Still strong.

Still utterly enchanting!

(and still some more photos, just because I can!)

Hetja is looking very good – motherhood obviously suits her.