Kolka came rushing down the field in the hope that I had something (this time, I didn’t as I had only come to check the water).

She really is a very pretty horse.

And she has piercing eyes (by now, I was beginning to feel slightly guilty about the lack of carrot situation).

And then “Pinky and the Brain” arrived.

I will let you decide who is who.

Hint – The Brain is highly intelligent, self-centered and scheming, while Pinky is good-natured but feeble-minded! 

Another hint:  Haakon has always wanted to Rule the World and Iacs name spells I-Am-Completely-Stupid!

And they are so rude to Kolka.

So I shouted at them and said “be nice” in a firm tone.

And that obviously had no effect at all.

Despite this, they are all very good friends except for when they aren’t.

So, I noticed, when I fed everyone their breakfast this morning, that no one had actually explored much of their new track.  They had all just been standing around.

Later, on the dog-walk (much to Ted’s horror as he hates all things Minion), I grabbed Storm who is the most gullible (read willing) and led him around the track to show him that there were other lovely places to explore.

I knew the others would follow wondering if I was leading Storm to a land of endless chocolate cake.

Yer, right!

I showed them the other side of the burn and they duly waded through and I was reminded of The Jungle Book – the 1967 Disney version. A favourite film.

Once I saw Vitamin arrive and she had a drink as she wandered through the burn, I knew everyone would be ok.  She would see to it.  She is still the leader.

And tail-end Charlie, or Fivla, duly crossed too (I have since returned and added another strand of wire on the burn fence to stop Waffle ducking under).

Oh yes!  We know, don’t we Vitamin?

Later on today, I could see the ponies all far away.

(a close up)

And even later on, they had all done at least two circuits of the track and were perfectly happy pottering around.

Today the track was open for business.  It is for the Minions’ and their constant battle against laminitis. I hope this is the answer as it was a lot of hard work to build.

I don’t want the Shetland ponies to eat the spring grass when or if it arrives as that has a high sugar content which will start the laminitis process all over again.  I am so bored of laminitis.

I explained all this to Vitamin and of course, she understood because she is a wize old pony.

The track is 700 metres around the whole field with two easy watering and crossing points at either end, ie the burn runs right through it.  Yes, there are some muddy spots like at the gate but hey ho, they will manage.

And best of all I can see everyone from any upstairs window!

Tonight, there is a storm with some rain and F10 (55-63mph winds) but the track is laid out so there are good points of shelter if needed.  I think I thought of everything.

Having said that, I put dry rugs back on Vitamin and Fivla as rain is also forecast.

So that’s the latest plan.  I will get around to turning the fence actually on but, as there is currently something to eat on the track, I doubt I will find anyone tomorrow morning where they shouldn’t be – unless they fly over in the wind!

I am, however, taking bets that the first pony to “test” the fence will be Waffle.  Any takers?

Ok, it was a grotty morning – constant drizzle turning into rain at times – but that is still no excuse for Waffle’s latest behaviour.  Yes, you, Waffle.

Having finished his bucket, Waffle sidles up to whoever is still eating – this time it was Vitamin – and …..

… then he swings his bum into them so they have to move off leaving their bucket which he swiftly swoops and steals.

I called Waffle out on this behaviour today.  I knew what he was up to.  I could see the way his mind was working. He knew I knew too and he was more cross than sorry that I had caught him at it.

This little cute face cut absolutely no ice with me.

And so he took out his apparent hanger on Newt (a bad choice in my book) so I told him that too.

Waffle, realising his petard had been well and truly hoisted, went off in a I-didn’t-want-it-anyway sulk to eat old willow trees at me.

I have noticed this bum-swinging is a recent habit that has to stop. He does it to the old ladies and positioning them together to eat their buckets is tricky but necessary if I want them to have any sort of protection from Waffle.

My afternoon horse-and-pony-check found me climbing up the hill to give the Ancients an apple each.

Bloomin’ miles away they were too.

I originally thought I could take lovely photos of all three horses galloping downhill towards me but they didn’t move and expected a full waitress service.  Of course, I obliged.

I even had to climb the last cliff face to give Kolka her apple.  It was steep and I am not good with steep as I have little balance these days the minute I remember I have little balance these days!

Bibble, on my way up.

Kolka looking rather splendid and prehistoric, refusing to budge or meet me halfway.

And Bibble on my trip downwards, as in “have you got another apple as I ate mine?”

I had a quick feel for ribs and found none.  Everyone is fluffy and happy.

Next, I took two dry rain-sheet rugs out to put on Vitamin and Fivla as we are due a storm starting tonight with rain and a windchill of about minus 5.  The wind really gets going by Wednesday (a feisty Force 10) so I wanted to be prepared and not let the old ladies get totally soaked through and utterly miserable.

I told the other Minions they were all too fat to need a rug!  They, of course, disagreed.