Stuart Huggan, the equine dentist, is in Shetland for the next few days.

He was booked to come to Thordale and I had a list of horses and ponies I wanted him to treat or give an opinion on, dental-wise.

Esja’s new owner also wanted her to be seen.  Esja has never seen the dentist but she was calm and behaved perfectly.

Obviously, she had support from little Hjalti who was wondering around loose as Hetja had been brought in and was next in the queue.

I thought it was important Hjalti watched (up close) as one day it will be his turn and he will know what is required and that no one ever says no thank you, Mr Dentist.

We could see Hetja was nervous.  To our knowledge, she has never seen a dentist.  She was pregnant last year.

I need not have worried, Hetja was also perfectly behaved.  Once she realised that she could do this, she settled down and let Stuart get on with his work.

(and little Hjalti watched, absolutely fascinated – perhaps he wants to be a dentist when he grows up!)

Once these girls were done, they went out into the field and next up was Vitamin and Delia.

Vitamin knows the drill.  She just stood there.

Delia was different.  First I asked Stuart and Clare, the owner of Shetland Equestrian Centre and Stuart’s driver, their opinion on Delia’s gait and stiffness.  It is always good to hear what others think and I value their opinion.  They both agreed that yes, Delia is a little stiff, but she was doing ok and there was certainly life in her eyes.  I am glad to hear this. I worry.

The girls were finished and went outside.

Then Kappi and Taktur came in.  All was fine.

Stuart said he liked coming to Thordale as the horses were so good.

(Proud Mum Alert **** sniff ****)

I tried hard not to think “but you didn’t meet the Minions this time!”

This morning, after breakfast, Floss and I took Lambie down to Finnigert, to Bergli Shetland Pony Stud.

We had to leave Her Maj behind as the visiting VIP is not keen on dogs.

Everyone was on their best behaviour and ready to meet the guest.

The scouting party had been sent on ahead and, as with all these things, we stood around and waited.

Floss’ job was to keep Lambie off the daffodils.

And then the visitor arrived – Nicola Sturgeon, First Minister of the Scottish Parliament.

She had come to meet the Bergli Stud Shetland ponies.

And obviously have her photo taken with them.

The rest of her entourage were also keen to meet everyone.

We had warned them about the mud so they dressed appropriately and luckily had a sense of humour too saying it was really not that bad!

It was a beautiful morning and we all stood outside and chatted.

Mr Derek Mackay MSP, Minister for Transport, accompanied Nicola – (yes, she said “call me Nicola” after we had all practiced saying “First Minister”).   Mr Mackay has previous with Thordale having been the Minister sent to be photographed with Fivla and Vitamin in their Fair Isle sweaters!

The Scottish Government – Round 2

Inside the house for delicious homemade Norwegian applecake (Eplepai) and tea/coffee.

(Lambie was furious at being left outside).

Nicola was very happy to be inside.

So Lambie started butting the door glass very hard.  At one stage he managed to get in but was unceremoniously shoved out again.  To stop him doing this, I left everyone to chat and eat their cake while I sat outside on a rock with Lambie to keep him company.

Then it was time for Nicola and her entourage to move on to their next stop.  Lambie decided he was now a keen supporter of the SNP and was going with them, whether they wanted him or not.

Luckily, he was not wanted.

But to make up for this, he was allowed into the house while I had my slice of Eplepai (which I shared with him).

And then a Shetland pony appeared, because that was the kind of morning it was!

 

Today has been a day of doing the little things that need doing.

I popped over to Brae, for a friend, and took a photo of Busta House, a lovely hotel/restaurant.

And then, en route home, I saw a pair of swans on the loch.

Anywho, upon my return, I found Esja being ridden and so took a few photos of her.

Esja has made huge progress and her new owner adores her.

For a nearly five-year-old Icelandic horse, Esja is mature, happy and going very nicely for her owner.  I love her ears in this photo – all listening.

Meanwhile, as it was raining, I brought Brá in as I wanted to get her dry and put on her proper waterproof rug.  Brá has lost her coat far too early and I would hate her to suffer because of it.

She also has very “gooby-crunchy” eyes so I put some eye ointment in.  For a mare who jumps scared about most things, Brá just stood there letting me put the ointment into both eyes.  When I think of all the battles I have with the others, I stood back amazed at her reaction.  What a good girl.

Junk Food – ‘Ster and Lambie will eat anything.  This afternoon, I found ‘Ster munching my garden chair.

Lambie preferred an old plastic/foam bench.  He was very happily ripping it up.

I am not a huge fan of junk food, so I went into the other shed and found some hay.

It seemed to work.  The little munchers were diverted.

I wish they would leave my stuff alone.  I think they have me well trained.

Once, or even twice, a year, I brush the Minions.

They are not helpful and they don’t like it but needs must.

Tiddles was first and he had one of his meltdowns about his ears or forelock being brushed.  I managed to convince him that, despite what he thought, no one had actually died having their forelock brushed.  Grudgingly, Tiddles gave in.  He is now sporting a very fetching froufrou forelock.

I brushed everyone’s manes, tails, bellies and legs.

I think my little boys  looked beautiful in the Spring sunshine.

Someone told me a pony should have an “apple bottom”.  Storm has a lovely one.

His front end is not bad either (I think this was taken before I took the brush to him – Storm likes to wear his food so is a bit crunchy around the ears).

Talking of sheep…… (I know, isn’t Lambie the very definition of perfection?)

I found Silver talking to ‘Ster while he was waiting for his turn to be brushed.

‘Ster could run off if he wanted but he likes the ponies and enjoys playing their games, even the chewing-his-horns game.  At one stage, he was being chased round the school by Storm.  Both were giggling and ‘Ster was bouncing.

Spring is finally putting in an appearance.  I know this because everyone (even Iacs after a little persuasion) left the Temple of the Bale (all hail) and went down to the bottom field to eat grass.

Happy days x

We came back from a dog walk and I noticed there was a funny smell following me about.

I pinpointed the culprit when BeAnne came and sat next to me. The most noxious fumes wafted up to my nose.  I nearly passed out.  All fingers pointed at BeAnne Duvet.

Bathing BeAnne is a always huge deal for my back and involves both a mental and physical battle with much determination on both sides!

So, as it was a nice day, I took BeAnne down to Fleurad burn that runs through the fields.

Since it had rained profusely the night before, the burn was moving very fast

To start with, I thought BeAnne probably wouldn’t swim because of the swift current but no, I was wrong.  We threw bits of wood from an old leftover fence/wood pile and BeAnne happily jumped after them.

And then BeAnne rolled so all my good work trying to get her to smell a bit better was for nothing.  Now BeAnne stunk of something different – probably otter.  Luffley!

So I gave up.