Category Archives: Icelandic horses and Shetland Ponies

Twice a Day Feeds

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I had the dentist (for me, not the horses) first thing this morning. Afterwards, I took one look at Lerwick (there was a large cruise ship in), quickly turned tail and went home.  I had that sudden feeling wanting to go home, though I did manage to nip into the feed merchant on my way.

Anyway, everyone was waiting patiently for me to get back.

I was needed, in my own special way.

After making the statutory hand-felted sheep with feline help (gosh, he was annoying), armed with my bucket and gloves I went outside to quickly poo-pick the track.  Everywhere I went, Haakon was watching me. He kept popping up on my eyeline.  It was as if he was trying to tell me something.

After the track was cleared, I mixed up two buckets of fattening food and quietly put them out into five bowls, hoping I wasn’t noticed.  It is much easier to dish out food without everyone crowding me and arguing.

However, I could see Iacs had already clocked that something was going on.

I distributed fairly and shouted …..

For once, Haakon was right. There was something going on – unexpected food.

While the cold north-west wind continues to blow, the rugs are staying on.  I think we dodged the sleet, though.  Anyway, everyone is very pleased with this new twice a day feeding routine.  They think they are onto a winner.  I think it is not going to be forever.

Haakon’s Weight Loss

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Haakon seems to have suddenly lost weight almost overnight which is not like him. Usually it is Iacs who comes into spring a bit lean.  So now, of course, I am worried.

It’s been a long day packing Turriefield vegetables this morning, collecting fattening horse-food from a friend and lastly popping over to another friend to collect equine wormer which she had kindly brought back from Lerwick yesterday.

When I finally got home mid-afternoon, although the sun was out, there is a north wind blowing which made everything much colder.

I walked down to the field and put Iacs’ winter rug back on.  He was very happily surprised and both Vitamin and Fivla said they would quite like their’s on too please so I told them no, you’re fine.  We’ll see how the week goes.

Then I led Haakon into the garden and gave him a big bucket of the fattening food which luckily he really liked and happily ate.

The others were now pretty cross at this blatant favouritism so I went into the house and found some carrots to throw and to get them off the fences. It briefly did the trick.

And then they were back, watching.

I don’t like how Haakon’s backbone is sticking out and his bottom is thin on his legs.  I can also feel his ribs and there is no cushioning.  For a 32 year old horse, I wouldn’t want him any thinner and he must put on weight if he is to keep going.

So rug on, and Haakon will get two meals a day to fatten him up.

I hope the others don’t mind too much.

Oh yes, and this is the damage in Haakon’s hoof after that horrid abscess/stone made.  Poor lad.

So that’s the plan. Two meals a day and rug on while the north wind is blowing.

I will consider rugging the others up but, to be perfectly honest, they are looking fine and probably don’t need it.

New Farrier Day

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We were very busy this morning.  There was much to do and get ready.

We had our new farrier coming.

First, I got the old horses and ponies back home from their field across the hill by leading Haakon with all the rest following like the good horses and ponies they are.  Breakfast buckets were waiting as the incentive.

The two old ladies were hidden around the corner so, for once, they could eat a peaceful breakfast.

The sheep didn’t need asking twice to go into their field.  They ran past the horses and ponies (Lambie had his eyes closed) just wanting to stay out of this.

While we waited for the farrier, I let the old ones mooch around eating grass by the house.

Jay was pleasantly early, which I took as a good sign.

Pepper was her usual helpful self – getting in the way over and over again. Next time I might put her in the house.  She was beyond annoying.

Some horses didn’t get trimmed because they didn’t need it and, at one stage, a friend arrived so I threw Haakon’s rope over his neck, left him telling him not to move and to be a good boy for me (Haakon, not the farrier!)

I asked Jay to give me his opinion on each horse and pony as there are times when I honestly wonder if what I am doing is right.

He said no one was fat, all looked good, and best of all absolutely no sign of laminitis.  Newt was the fattest, condition-wise, and Haakon and Iacs were an ok weight coming into spring/summer.

He also commented that everyone was very calm and easy to work.

So I am feeling much happier and thinking this is the way to go.

Spring Day

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This is the usual start to my morning.  Breakfast was over and Monster doesn’t like the word “no”.

When he sat on my iPad, I had to make sure he didn’t fall off (note the widge hanging over the table – not pretty).

Then I went around the Shetland pony track with my bucket and gloves to clear up. I am just coming to the end of Lord of the Rings – the ring is in Mount Doom with Gollum and the hobbits are just traipsing back to find Bilbo who is waiting for Frodo at the Grey Havens.  It’s been a long haul, I won’t deny it, but still it’s a good book to listen to while poo-picking.  One of the greats.

Anyway, I deserved a reward and the weather was nice, so I sat down on a rock and waited to see who wanted to chat.

Waffle

Tiddles close by

For a second, I thought Silver would come up but ….

Tiddles said he couldn’t.

Albie snuck around behind and gave me a kiss.

While Newt was far away and not in a chatty mood.

The ground is finally beginning to dry up.  We haven’t had proper rain for a while and the weather is very spring-like now.

I went into my shed after lunch and there was meowing outside so I let Monster in and, again, he made himself comfortable exactly where I wanted to work.  Of course.

Sometimes things are never easy.  I ended up picking him up and putting him outside.

Pepper is now grounded forever. She has taken to going out in the middle of the night to go hunting probably with Monster.  We have resorted to desperate measures and hopefully we can get break this habit.

Spring!  It has its good and bad sides.  Lovely flowers and bunny rabbits everywhere.

Capturing our Inner Derp

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I know life here can look all glitz and glam, but believe me when I say it isn’t.  We are not The Beautiful People all the time.  No, honestly, we aren’t. I realise that’s difficult to believe.

Anyway, for every good photo, there are many that just don’t quite capture the moment.

I think Iacs is particularly good at finding his Inner Derp. It’s his skill.

Obviously there are no bad photos of Haakon. I couldn’t take one even if I tried.

↓ ↓ ↓ still Iacs ↓ ↓ ↓

Kolka is a close second.  She loves making faces the minute she sees me and my camera.

Pepper also  has moments of true revoltingness – the tideline of mud and the thing she is sniffing/thrown up. I refuse to investigate and I don’t want to know.

‘Ster is good value too on the derp front.

It is Monster obviously who gets the prize.

Sometimes I think my animal-family is revolting in their own unique way.  All except for Haakon.  Like I said, he is perfect, of course.

And possibly Lambie (because I am being kind as it was his birthday). Dear little boy.