We went over to Sandness today.

I took my helpers and, while they milled out of the way of the horses and ponies, I did some grooming.

Armed with my Beauty Box (half price because it had the corner chipped), I brought brushes and de-tangling spray with me.

The girls were intrigued, …..

inquisitive and  …..

determined to see if it was edible!

I haven’t done any work with Esja yet and she will begin her ridden training very soon.  Today, I wanted to do some ground work with her – she was easy to catch and we walked around the field together, while I asked her to listen to me and to watch my body language.  She concentrated well despite her friends pointing and laughing.

Esja and I do not really know each other but I could quickly see she wanted to be my friend  but I am going to have to earn her trust and assume nothing.

After we got used to each other’s ways, I tied her up and brushed her mane and tail.  At first, as usual, she was apprehensive but soon realised it was actually quite nice and relaxing.

Esja may not be an easy horse to train.  She minds and she cares hugely but she wants to do the right thing so that is good.

It will be interesting to have a potential project for the winter.

She does have beautiful eyes, though.

After a good riding morning, Floss and I drove over to see everyone in Sandness.

Hetja is doing very well post-pregnancy.

She is maintaining her weight and has no intention of losing it after having her foal.  Anyway, she will need it for the harsh Shetland winter that is on its way.

Hjalti is doing lots of getting bigger.

He has taken a particular liking to thistles and we watched him for a while trying to bite the spiky dead heads off one at a time.  What is it about Icelandic horses and their love of thistles?

Hjalti is  growing into a very smart chap and very similar to his mother in shape.

He is well integrated into the herd and likes to mingle with the others but is still considered the little squirt who must know his place.

After this misguided sniff, he quickly went back to his dear old mum with a flea in his ear.

And Hetja said “If you can’t sniff something nice… don’t sniff nothing at all!”

(shamelessly misquoted from Bambi)

A day of Firsts – well, two really.

The first First was going on a ride with Flossie and Bjørn together.

Flossie quickly realised that this was a different kind of plod from our usual rides out and Iacs looked after her beautifully, never scaring her once (I do love that little horse).

We let Bjørn go on ahead as it was obvious we were holding him up.

I rode Klængur who, after realising he was not to follow Taktur, quickly settled down and we did some nice work together.

Iacs kept his beady eyes on me at all times because I apparently am the home of the carrot.

So we stopped for a carrot break which was most welcome by the boys.

The second First is the tentative truce between Wussums and Loki.  It has only taken over two years and I am not holding my breath.

Wu only came into the sitting room because he wanted someone to open a tin of food for him but, still, it is progress.

Wu genuinely likes BeAnne just not Loki.

But he has managed two years without being killed and I do think that if they both met face to face, Loki would do nothing..

There was even relaxed purring today and no one ran out.

I am not forcing this relationship. It must be on Wu’s terms and he must feel confidant that Loki will not chase.

Small steps.

It’s a beautiful day now.  Shetland is back to its’ finest.  Happy, happy.

I have this ridiculous dream that all the horses and ponies will get on together, without chasing, Lambie and Lambert.

So far, I have failed dismally.  The Minions were the worst offenders and only have to see a black and white cottonwool ball following me into their field, before they have a combined evil thought and chase Lambie until he runs screaming up to me to save him.  So I haven’t taken him back for a while.

But everyone is bigger now and perhaps a bit more sensible.

Today the Minions were better behaved but Lambie has not forgotten their previous bullying.

Any hint of sniffing and he was off back to me yelling blue murder.

So Floss and I sat down on nice flat comfortable dry rocks and let everyone get to know each other again under strict supervision.

We made progress.  Huge progress, I think, though I still don’t trust anyone really.

Early days.

But it was nice to sit in the sun surrounded by Lambie, Lambert, Silver, Waffle and Tiddles.  Storm is away being a VIP – a very important pony – with Taktur.  He is the ring leader, if I am honest, so I am glad he was away in another field as he couldn’t get the others to join in with his games.

We will see……

Shetland is not always beautiful.  Shocking, I know, but there is the odd day when really I think it could make more of an effort.

Today would be a case in point – non-stop rain, and I mean proper rain, since last night.  Instead of soaking into the already sodden ground, it is quickly falling off the hill instead.

Still the dogs have to be walked and so, bedecked in my survival suit as it says it is waterproof, I set out, nose down not looking back…..

… until I noticed I had my two little woolly friends running after me.

Bless them, no matter where I go, and as long as I don’t have a Minion with me, my sheepies follow.

BeAnne and Loki are used to this ridiculous situation now.  They just do their own thing.

BeAnne is still considered Group Leader, though by the woollies.

They sometimes dawdle at the back but if you shout, they quickly come running.

I got home vaguely dry but feeling very worthy.  Apparently it might stop raining one day – tomorrow would be nice.  Time is drawing near and I want to go out riding with Flossie before she goes back up.  She is getting on very well on horseback.