Today we executed Part 1 of my Cunning Plan to wean Lilja.

After feeding Brá and Lilja their buckets of hardfeed, plus one for Hetja in the hope it would mellow her slightly, we put headcollars on the ladies and led them over to the Minion field.

Theory:  If the Icelandics are not on their home turf, they might be slightly nicer to the Minions on their’s.

We were quickly seen and the little ones came rushing over to say hello to the newcomers.

First contact.

And then the big ones ran away.

And were swiftly followed by the Welcome Committee.

A small battle instigated by Hetja.  I am sure she said “none shall speak to my daughter”.

Brá was less confrontational.

Again, Hetja gathered her troops and left.

Vitamin decided to go over as she had always been a keen fan of these two pregnant mares but in a next-door-neighbour-over-the-fence sort of way.

Hetja was having none of it.

The support group turned up for Vitamin

And then they all ran away together.

Another battle started.

And everyone scattered while Lilja bunny-hopped hopefully.

Not to be deterred, little Fivla left the Minion herd and went over by herself to say hello.

The others were right behind her, just rather far away, probably hiding.

The Icelandics were rolling, which is a good sign – they were relaxing and wanted to acquire the herd/field smell.

A bit of chasing, but nothing too aggressive now.

And we left them either eating or watching.

I went back a few hours later just to check everyone was ok, and saw that Brá was now more with the Minion herd while Hetja and Lilja were standing on their own.  Hopefully, they will sort themselves out in the next few days and then we will let them into the green grass field for a few weeks.  After that, when Lilja is fully integrated with the Minion herd, we will take Brá and Hetja out when she is not looking.

Well that is the plan anyway.

I may have been over doing things a little bit these past few days.  We have been making a field sheep-proof by building walls out of the surrounding rumbled dry stone dykes, which is hard work.  Floss and I also did a Redd Up (cleaning up the litter on the side of the roads) yesterday which left my back screaming for mercy.

Last night, I gave in and took painkillers realising that I may have done too much.  This morning I could not wake up or move, so Floss and OH kindly did all my chores while I snoozed.  Floss even brought me tea and toast in bed – a wonderful luxury.

Sunday is meant to be a day of rest so I took this seriously and we went Minion hugging.

  

After lunch, I wanted to see the newly arrived wild primroses that grow on either side of our burn (stream) that runs through all the fields at home.

Floss and I sat out of the wind in the warm(ish) sunshine while BeAnne had fun paddling.

 

It really was a stunningly beautiful afternoon.

I am feelinga bit more rested now.  Minion hugging is possibly the best therapy.

“Da Voar Redd Up is the UK’s most successful community litter pick, with over 20% of Shetland’s population volunteering their time annually. This annual spring clean makes an invaluable contribution to Shetland’s natural environment and wildlife, clearing Shetland’s beaches, coastlines and roadsides of litter and the debris washed up by winter storms.” – Shetland Amenity Trust

We had our bags and we were ready to tackle the “roadsides of litter” we see when we go riding.

This weekend is the Shetland Redd Up weekend so Flossie, BeAnne and I did a bit along our roads in the afternoon.

We walked what felt like miles, hopping over drains along the road.

Into the hill if we saw a gleam of rubbish.

We walked in the ditches that line the road.

Floss even climbed into a cattle grid.

It left me feeling totally disgusted with lazy-arsed people who can be bothered to put the wrapper around their ice cream lolly sticks but cant be arsed to take it home.

Some twunt deliberately tied a knot into his neatly folded crisp packets before chucking them out.  Twice. Why, just why?  Who thinks like that? Why would anyone do it?

I also found numerous Lambert & Butler cigarette packets and if I meet the person who smokes them, I will not be answerable for my actions. I was provoked.  You have been warned.

Having filled two bags with roadside litter, we went home loathing the human race.  What really got to me was that we cleaned up these two exact roads this time last year so all this rubbish was new.

Enraged, Flossie and I needed to spend some quality time with Albie and Newt to find our sanity and regain our perspective.

People are awful.  Horses and ponies are much nicer – and tidier too.

We havent finished our Redd Up and will continue to fill a few bags each day over the week.

Meanwhile, back at the ranch a few things have been happening.

BeAnne is very down, refusing to eat and losing weight.   The vet checked her over.  I needed to know there was nothing sinister going on.  I am now obsessed, obviously. He diagnosed depression brought on by the loss of her two “friends” in quick succession.  It has been all too much for Her Maj.

When we were south last week we had to visit Pets At Home in Aberdeen to get some cat things.  We also bought BeAnne an array of new toys, which she is quite likes.

If you have seen Best in Show (brought to you by the same folk who made This is Spinal Tap) then you will know about Busy Bee.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ib0Xv86kyIk

So we had to buy one for BeAnne. It is to help her through her depression/neuroses.  Here is a link to Busy Bee which I highly recommend if only to make you smile because of the film.

BeAnne and I also go for long walks along the road as exercise releases endorphins.  She is beginning to turn a corner and plays more with her new toys.  Monster is nicer to her as well.

The vet had a bit of a list when he visited – he had to check Monster over too.  Last up was gelding Dreki Dragon.  It was done and he is still talking to me, just.

What with everything going on, we totally managed to miss Lambie’s third birthday.  He doesn’t seem to mind and is enjoying life.

So, that’s us.  The Spring grass has started to grow, if slowly, and everyone is very happy.

We are having some lovely sunny days and it is getting warmer.

With that, I bet it snows next week as lambing is in full force.

 

These are the photos from our second day’s training from Elisabeth Jansen, Assistant Professor at Hólar University College, Iceland.

In the morning, Daisy went in with Kappi.

And the poles were out!

Kappi has not seen trotting poles (with us) so he made the executive decision to jump them.

I love this – he sniffed, he thought….

And his next stride was to jump.

The poles were put up and the jump therefore became bigger or “scopey” as it is known in show-jumping circles.

And then Elisabeth and Daisy concentrated on Kappi’s gaits.

A little break and it was Taktur’s turn.  He got the same pole training.

Again, Taktur has never seen a trotting pole.

But he managed and stretched.

The poles helped him to lift his legs up.

The girls were impressed!

Poor Taktur, he was looking so beautiful but was totally ignored.

What’s a guy supposed to do to be noticed around here?

The spectators spectated.

Last up from Thordale was Flossie on her horse Klængur.  Again, he has never seen a trotting pole.  We just don’t do them.  Perhaps we should.

First they managed fine in walk.

And then in tölt.

There was even some jumping (Floss has never “jumped” before but gave it her best). Klængur looks like a medieval tapestry horse!

They were soon taking it all in their stride.

There may have been bribery involved too.

So all in all a good two days training for everyone.

A change of scenery for us anyway is always fun – It was nice to meet new people and to see old friends.