Yesterday, a friend came over with his step-daughter.  We know them very well and the girl, who is a young adult, has been riding for most of her life now.

When she visits, we always pop her on Iacs as we trust him and together they bimble about the indoor school in walk and trot.

As they were trotting round, the lass had a full-blown grand mal epilpetic seizure.

Iacs immediately stopped dead while his rider, in the middle of her seizure, slithered off onto the sand floor.

Of course, the girl’s step-father rushed to her aid.  This lass has known epilepsy so everyone around knows what to do if she hasa seizure – and Iacs?

What did Iacs do?  He stood there and waited patiently, doing nothing, absolutely nothing.  He never moved an inch.

We never trained him to do this.  He just knows that his rider and her safety is important.  That is what Icelandic horses do.  They care.

(Afterwards, the lass got back on again and they recommenced bimbling as if nothing had happened.)

There is no better horse in the world.

Today, when everyone else had one munchy-crunchy, he had two – for being perfect.

          

Our “Icelandic Angel” – (that is what the lass and her step-father called him).

“Connection lost. Saving has been disabled until you’re reconnected. We’re backing up this post in your browser, just in case.”

Thank you Plusnet.  I am beginning to hate you.  Hours on the internet telling them and still, yes still we go on. Or we don’t.  It just stops.

Anywho, a few days ago, the dogs and I went for a walk on Sandness beach.

Walking on the beach, by myself, is always good for the soul.

Some days I need to find my perspective.  Being by the sea always give me the answers.

So, of course, I took Darth Vader – my big Canon camera and snapped as I walked.

BeAnne and Loki enjoy the beach.  It is something different for them from their usual walks.

At the moment, my spine is not brilliant.

It is a constant battle.  These are the latest results of an MRI scan.

L2-L3 slight bulge
L3-L4 total prolapse
L4-L5 minor bulge

Referral to Pain Clinic for epidural.
If that does not help, then …. ⛏

I am trying hard not to think about the final option.

So, I walk and I think and I walk some more because walking does help.  The worst thing is that riding is starting to become painful and I mind that more than anything.

BeAnne, no matter what, is my constant companion.

  

Loki comes along for the ride.

While I was walking, I saw a flock, brace, raft, team or paddling of ducks in the sea.

There was always one at the back. It was agonising to watch.  I told the duck family to get tail-end Charlie back or I would be forced to have to swim out and “save” him/her.

And Phew!  They heard me.  Everyone was back together.

To be honest, I was not that keen on swimming!

Someone who is compact, small and ginger has not been very nice to their owner.  They have been taking advantage and that is not a Good Thing.

So, we put our expert onto it.

She was given the task to sort him out, which she did.

No one likes being taken advantage of and more work will happen – from both Daisy and Flossie.

After a lovely ride out on Iacs, Klængur and Haakon,  Daisy free-lunged her competition horse, Kappi (with the chickens – this is Elvis flapping about!)

From the left – Wiggins, The Brown One, Elvis and the Cockerel – so you know.

Kappi enjoyed running around the school and, now, his competition training is about to start.

I left them all to it and went to Sandness to see Les Autres.  En route, I saw this wonderful sheep.  There was something about him.  I am not sure what, however.

Everyone was very happy in their new field (we moved them 2 days ago).

I sat down with them and they came up to chat, be scratched and hugged.  My idea of a perfect afternoon.

Thordale ponies do not really understand being patted or petted – they want you to be with them and do lots of hugging, even Lyra.

I went round each pony/horse testing their “nose-kissey” button. All for science.

Luckily, everyone’s worked. I know this.

Delia is looking good, for her years, and is also on very fine form.

I am so proud of Hjalti.  What a wonderful job Hetja has made of him.  He has the nicest temperament  (Hetja), and all the charm of his father (Taktur) and wow, can he move (Hetja and Taktur).

On the way home, I saw a “swimming” sheep.

I always think of Lambie when I see a swimming sheep.  Like them, he does daft things – I have to wonder if they are related.

My back, after yesterday, was not happy.  Serious painkillers were required but I know that exercise will help.  Always keep gently mobilising – that is The Rule. I would rather keep going than resorting to mind-boggling analgesia.

So, today, I walked the dogs as OH had gone to town.

Or sheep.  Whoever turns up.  I am not fussy.

To be fair, Loki did appear.

BeAnne went halfway and then swiftly back home to bed. .

The Shetland views were, as ever, truly wonderful.

Shetland’s beauty, in all weathers, never ceases to amaze me.

Lambie was very happy and practising his “winning smile”.

‘Ster, who had been on the scattald (open hill), having seen us, ran to catch up and came along too.

My dear darling Boysenberries.

They were on top form, bouncing and giggling with each other as they went.

Since lambhood, Lambie has always had a taste for computer cables.  One of the main reasons he went to live outside.

When he spied my headphones (I was listening to a Radio 4 Afternoon Play), he immediately had to taste-test them.  He never grew up.

When I told him off, he had to jump up to explain.  Darling Lambie – always the same, always a Mummy’s boy.  Someone told me it was wrong to let him jump up.  I said it was the Postman’s fault – he taught him, not me.  I just kiss his nosey (Lambie, not the postman!)

And so, we wended our way home.  Loki looked slightly embarrassed and the Boysens looked very happy, if tired.

I was met by three of the Deadly Sins – greed, gluttony and wrath,

I gave them a carrot each and went indoors.

The little herd (Waffle, Silver, Storm, Tiddles, (the original Minions), plus Hjalti (Icelandic yearling gelding), Delia and Lyra (standard Shetland pony mares) all live 4 miles away from home and they need more grass.

So, today, Daisy and Flossie kindly lugged endless 25l containers of water to prepare the next field for the little herd.

Then Daisy led Lyra, Flossie led Storm and Silver and I led Hjalti, into their new field. I would like to say the rest followed beautifully, without question, but there is always one and that would be Tiddles who was easily confused.  Twerp.

The Gods were not smiling when Tiddles was in the queue for a brain.

I thought he would, unquestioningly, follow Storm.  I was very wrong.  I think Tids is going through “A Phase”.

Anywho, once everyone was in their new field, they quickly settled into the matter in hand.

– Shovel as much food in as possible in the littlest amount of time!

And off to explore.

Just look at Hjalti’s trot.  My jaw hit the floor while I watched him trot in long grass.  A thing of beauty. My photo is pathetic.

This darling little herd are very happy.

So much food and so little time.

They bounced with happiness.

I just wish they were nearer to home.   I adore this herd of happy little persons (ponies probably to some of you, but always family to me).

❤ 🐾  ❤ 🐾  ❤ 🐴   ❤ 🐾 ❤ 🐾   ❤ 🐴   ❤ 🐾 ❤ 🐾   ❤ 🐴   ❤ 🐾 ❤

By the way, bear with me on the Brisk situation. We are Just sorting out a Minion Paypal account. I want everything to be totally transparent, ie what comes in pays for what goes out. Otherwise some folk will have their doubts, stick their knives in and spread negativity. I would hate that.