I have often wondered what Lambie and ‘Ster would be like in a flock.  Would they like it?  Are they missing out on a huge part of their social whirl?

So, when I was offered 4 gimmers (Lambie’s actual half sisters) to eat the yellow marsh marigolds and buttercups, I said yes, let’s give it a go, secretly hoping Lambie and ‘Ster would be thrilled and become almost proper sheep, with still time for their dear old Mum.

So the ladies were brought over one evening.

Lambie and ‘Ster were intrigued.

They were communicating (I wondered if Lambie had lost that ability since he never really mixed with others).

It was beautiful.

I was thrilled.

Born Free all over again.

The next morning.

Oh.

Lambie was very upset.  He said he hated his sisters. They didn’t speak his language, relate to him and didn’t even understand his moisturising routine.

He also accused me of loving them more than him.  We had to have a little conversation. I said no one was replacing him in my heart and he would always be my woolly lamb.

I tried to entice Lambie and ‘Ster back into the field but, no they were having none of it.

Tore (sisters’ owner) came over later with a bucket of mix and spread it out over some rocks.

Instantly, the flock were together again and I was hopeful that it might just need some time for this readjustment.

But nope.

Les Girls left as soon as they had arrived.  Eaten and gone. A quick date.

‘Ster tried following too.

Even Lambie gave it another go.

But it is not looking hopeful.  I tried the food-on-the-rock scenario this afternon but Lambie and ‘Ster ate it silently and the sisters were not interested.

So, it looks like it is not Lambie and his sisters.  He just wants to be a Mummy’s boy.

Thordale Phyllis was one of the nicest foals that Thordale Stud ever bred.

Out of: Struie Pippa
By: Millhouse Independant  (no, I have not spelled his name wrong; that is what his breeder called him)
On: 15th June 2009

Phyllis was an enchanting little foal.

She loved people and she loved to know, most of all, what they were doing and if she could help.

Of all the foals Thordale has ever bred, Phyllis was one that stood out as very special, and yes she knew it!

We reluctantly sold Phyllis to another Shetland pony stud who swore blind they would offer her a “home for life”, etc, etc.  (I now run when I hear those words).  Instead, Phyllis was in foal by the time she was two years old.  We were heartbroken and I have never stopped feeling thatI had let her down very badly.  I even tried to buy her back.

Out of the blue, I received a phone call from someone who said they had bought Phyllis and could I tell them anything about her history.

They had purchased, more out of pity than actual need, a poor sad pony with raging uncontrolled sweetitch.  She had that horrible hard skin from all the untreated itching and misery.  I felt sick as I found out in what a terrible state she was now in.

The Gods were smiling hugely, though, and Phyllis had been bought for a little boy called Edward.  The family took it upon themselves to make Phyllis right.  She was washed, clipped, blanketed, everything to cure her sweetitch and get her well again – both mentally and physically – there was no doubt that the foal had taken its toll on poor Phyllis.

And so Phyllis began to blossom again.  She and Edward slowly became a team.  He adores her, she adores him and she looks after him  Best of all, she got the sparkle back in her eyes.

Being loved makes everything better.  Edward’s sister, Milly, put in many hours with Phyllis and it was exactly what she needed.  When animals lose their self-worth, it takes a special person to give it back.

  

Edward and Phyllis participated in lead rein shows learning and trying hard, and, guess what, they entered a class at Royal Windsor Horse Show!

So, yesterday, off they went to compete – Child’s First Ridden Pony.

Milly spent an hour hour brushing that shine in Phyllis’ coat.

And off Phyllis and Ed went into the ring.  Ed’s father, Peter (aka, Master Dressage, Peter Dove) was at the other end of the lead rein.

In a large class of 44, they did well.

Ok, unplaced but a judge loved Phyllis’ walk and said she had good conformation.

Also, Phyllis was a saint with tractors and stallions.  What more could you ask for a small boy learning to ride?

Dear darling Phyllis, (sniff and blow) has been given a life.

I am very proud of everyone and I am so thankful she has found the Dove family.  Here, Phyllis is loved and here she has blossomed.

Thank you, guys.

I am so happy and so proud.  A different pony now from the poor little unloved Shetland that arrived just over a year ago.

Waaaaaaaaaaa! sniff, sniff, sniff.

Brá was last served on the 6th June.  I have this information on authority from the owner of the stallion.

Ok…….

Symptoms so far:

Visibly uncomfortable now (oh, how I relate to that feeling; last trimester pregnant in August in London – meh).

Kicking her belly, lying down, getting up, lying down, etc.

But a small udder, larger teats than normal. No waxing, not really ready-to-go.

So I have set up my mare-stare wagon in front of the house (handy for the loo, hot water bottles, stuff).  My iPod is plugged in and I am currently listening to Terry Pratchett plays (last night was Mort and The Wyrd Sisters).  I also bought a good pair of bins too.  I think I have them sussed now to work with my specs on.

How long will the battery last on the van without taking it for a run to recharge?  Anyone know?

I look over the field and can see what is going on all the time.

My portable hot water bottle.

As well as two outside ones for sitting on my feet.  They’re real wool, you know.

My account at the Bank of Karma is hopefully healthy and I spent last night watching and waiting.

This morning my OH found me “resting my eyes” whilst propped up on the windowsill inside the van, listening to Terry Pratchett plays.

Good vibes please for a healthy mare and foal. That is all I want.

 

Ok, there is Lambie.  He is, of course, cute and very enthusiastic today about all things.

He came running up the hill when he discovered Bjørn was not me (he was busy checking Brá’s non-existent bewbery).  Today I bought a pair of bins (binoculars) and I will hop in and out of bed on an hourly basis checking for any potential bebbie.  It has nothing to do with me wanting to sleep or not, I just have to know what is going on out there.  Sleep is irrelevant at the moment.

And then today I met this little boy.  He was born to Bergli Stud, yesterday.

I think I am in love (yet again!).  Look, look at his beautiful head and the floof for a forelock.

Is it his teensy tiny hooves or the way he rests his nosey on the grass?

Oooh, ooh look, he is awake.

And his tongue (pronounced in our house “tung-gui” – with a hard g)

He is a delight.

and, despite not even having a name, he can already tölt.

Such a talent.

This darling little miniature foal is all Berry bloodlines and is enchanting.

I reckon, it will only be a matter of days before I get to talk to him or put in a pocket and take him home (whichever I think I can get away with).

What a treasure.

Ooof, look at his little canter.

******** sigh **********

I wish foals could stay foals.  They are the very definition of cute.

Having said that, a grown-up Lambie is still a luffley boy, despite what many may say!

 

Back to veggie packing on a Thursday afternoon at Turriefield – http://www.turriefieldveg.co.uk/

I always ask BeAnne if she wants to come too as Turriefield is one of favourite travel destinations.

She is mostly a good girl.  She has one of her dog beds there – it stays permanently in their packing shed, so she has somewhere to settle and sleep.

Today, on our well-earned tea break, the biscuit tin was opened and BeAnne heard it immediately.

So BeAnne did what she does best – she worked the room!

When BeAnne found that folk in Turriefield don’t feed beautiful sweet little doggies, she took herself off for a sulk.

But BeAnne is not one to hold a long grudge and she soon found some old sacks to sit on.  She is always happiest when she is involved.

Having done the vegetable box distribution, I was put to work dibbing and planting beans.

On my home, I checked the horses.  They were miles away on the horizon, totally ignoring me.

Oh yes, ‘Ster returned last night looking rather embarrassed.  Lambie was nonchalant!