Well, it’s that time of year again.

That time when the boys try on their school uniform, ie winter rugs and yes, they behave like we all did when we we went to the school uniform shop.  Bored, bored, bored.

We took the Minions inside and put on their last year’s rugs…..

….. to see if they still fitted….

(or not).

In our house, the Minions are divided into two size camps.  The larger ones are Silver and Waffle and the smaller ones are Storm and Tiddles.  And then, of course, there is Albie who has to grow into all their rugs.  Poor Albie, from now on, he will never have a new one to call his own.

Last year, I bought these two lovely navy rainsheets for Silver and Waffle.

Methinks, they are now a tad snug.

Even on their biggest setting they barely go around Silver and Waffle’s belly.  Ooops.

Plus they don’t really do up at the front very nicely.  Yes it “fits” but it will rub – not good.

So I popped the rug on Storm.  He liked it (so important) and it fitted (even more important).

Waffle’s medium-fill rugs (for those colder days) from last year, just about fitted Storm and Tiddles.

This last year, I have been scouring Fleabay for really good quality rugs and found this gorgeous high neck rug for Delia.  This is The Rug of Rugs.  I would wear it.  Seriously, shit could fall from the sky and Delia would be fine and warm.

Meanwhile, Silver managed to get himself tied up in knots (berk).

Storm succeeded in getting his headcollar off (eejit)

While Waffle tried to escape (typical).

So you know, I only rug The Minions when they need it.  At present, no one needs it.

🎉 🎊 🎁 🍾 🎉 🎊 🎁 🍾 🎉 🎊 🎁 🍾 🎉 🎊 🎁 🍾 🎉 🎊 🎁 🍾

Oh yes, I have been nominated for the fourth year running (three years winning) as Haynet Blogger of the Year.

Please can you vote for me. Voting is now open and you have until midnight on Friday 4th November 2016.

(there is a £100 first prize – just imagine how many rugs I could buy for my little boys)

 

“These are my ponies, Storm and Silver – two rescue Shetland ponies.  They are little guys, Minions.

This is Efstur and Hjalti. They’re gorgeous. They are both two boys who know how to take care of themselves.

By the way, my name is Frances. I take care of all of them, which ain’t easy; ’cause when they met… it was murder!”

(I hope you said that in a good New Jersey accent!)

Well, actually, it wasn’t murder.

It was just a swift hello.  “Murder” consisted of Tiddles sniffing Efstur.

Then Efstur tried to play with Storm.

Nothing much happened.

So, feeling bored, Efstur went and picked on Hjalti instead.

He had more success there.

Hjalti happily retaliated.

Ach, well, they all have each other now.

Perhaps “murder” will happen later when Storm and Tiddles are less busy.

(The film below is for those who have absolutely no idea what I am talking about – I will put away my New Jersey accent now!)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ilNUh4L0OhA

Less Hart to Hart and more Fart to Fart really!

There seems to be a lot of hanging around gates these days by some little boys.

As Hjalti spent last winter with the Minions, he is very well acquainted with their speshul ways.

Efstur is also intrigued with the small people and so desperate to find out what their unique charms are.

Luckily, there are two little volunteers, ready, willing and able.

Very able.

I think tomorrow, if it is a nice day, I know what I have to do.

If Storm doesn’t do it first.

He has personally taken it upon himself to eat his way into their field, strand by strand.

If it takes all night, too.  Whatever it takes.

Efstur needs some entertaining.  Hjalti is busy being his professional big brother who knows everything and makes all the decisions.  He is verging on boring now.

So these are the guys who want the job.

We can all see who can annoy each other more.

I’m not sure who I put my money on.

These two really are made for each other.

A match made in heaven.

So, tomorrow, I arrange a play date!

Last night, we opened the gate.

Albie, Tor and Fivla went out to live in the big 30 acre field alongside everyone else.

Today, I went outside to see how they were all getting on.

They are all fine.  Friends immediately.  Very easy.

Albie still follows Tor.  She does look out for him and, for her trouble, she gets to wash-up all his bowls.

Fivla is in the big field now.  Although she has lost some weight, we have decided that the Shetland winter will shiver of more fat than putting her in a stable at night.

Vitamin is still well covered.  The same applies for her too.  She can stay outside.

Delia is doing well.  She has started having Golden Paste (turmeric, black pepper and coconut oil mix) daily and I also give it to Tiddles, just in case he is feeling achy after his terrible ordeal.

He is doing very well and seems far more affectionate these days.  He always wants cuddles and I am happy to oblige.

Interestingly, Lyra is now the dominant mare of this Shetland pony herd.

Poor Efstur is most envious. He is stuck in the next door field with just his bossy friend, Hjalti and the mothers, Brá and Hetja for company.  They are no fun.

He is desperate to join the others and spends hours watching them.

The big guys take no interest in any of the little ones and luckily the field is big enough for everyone to have their own space.

This is the view from my back door.

Not bad, eh?

We don’t really do anything with our youngsters until we have to.  It is more important they are horses than they are trained at this age.

Today, we let the boys run round, while I took photos to update the Thordale website and just because.

First it was Hjalti’s turn.

Hetja was tied up (yes, she is pregnant, and no, she is not fat).

First, we stood Hjalti up for the website photos (note-to-self, must update).

Hjalti from Thordale

He is 4 gaited (walk, trot, tölt, canter)
Blup 106

“The BLUP method with animal model is used for genetic evaluation of Icelandic horses. Themethod is called BLUP (Best Linear Unbiased Prediction) since that describes the statisticalproperties of the method.  Animal model means that all available pedigree information is usedfor correct weighting of the genetic relationships among animals. The Best Linear Unbiased Prediction makes optimum use of the data on the pedigree and the scored traits and weights every piece of information correctly in accordance with the statistical model used for description of the real world.

The BLUP method is able to adjust for the effects of systematic environmental factors which can be registered in the data and make information on scores from different countries, years and on different gender comparable. The BLUP method has become a standard method for genetic evaluation of livestock (inclusive horses) worldwide.” – http://www.worldfengur.com

Hjalti’s Sire’s side (Taktur) …..

And his Dam’s (Hetja) side:

What a darling boy.

And wow, can he move.

Next up, was Efstur’s turn.

I had managed to put a headcollar on Efstur without much fuss (Huzzah!)

First up, were the website shots.

And then off he went round the school.  In-hand to start with.

And then by himself.

Firstly, there was the investigation of the buckets.

And then generally playing around.

BLUP  115 based on his two full siblings
5 gaited (ie, walk, trot, tölt, canter and pace)

Efstur’s Sire – Álfur frá Selfossi

Efstur’s Dam – Brá frá Reykjavík (and yes, she is pregnant too).  Not fat, no.

All very good.  All doing well.

We love the boys x