Category Archives: MyShetland

Happy Little Chaps

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I couldn’t see the Shetland ponies anywhere when I went into the field with their breakfast.  So I called and they appeared over the hill……

It is good to see everyone move well and look so happy in their new found freedom.

The ponies quickly found their buckets. All except Albie, of course.  He just has to share Waffle’s, much to Waff’s annoyance.

So I dragged over another bucket.

And everyone was happy, though Waffle probably thought Albie should share his now bigger portion.

Tiddles has his own private space.

And Newt’s back leg is quietly poised to cause as much annoyance as possible.  I should’ve moved him.  I know what he likes to do – kick out at anyone too close.

At the moment, I am going by the theory that the ponies won’t notice the filthy weather ahead (the next 24 hours – F10 with rain, temperatures dropping) because they have 30 acres of field and grass to play and eat in.  When I got the sheep home this evening, I couldn’t see the ponies anywhere so that’s a good sign.

Looking Back at Rørosmartnan 2017

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Outside is revolting. It started with a nice but ominous sunrise (red sky in the morning, shepherd’s warning) and the weather got worse from then on.

So, these photos are from February 2017 when Daisy and I went to Norway with a Norwegian friend to see the market and horse event at Rørosmartnan.

Obviously I took my camera and had a wonderful time indulging all my main interests – shopping, horses and taking photos.

“Røros is is a town in Trøndelag county, Norway, known for its historic copper mining, traditional wooden buildings, and status as a UNESCO World Heritage site. Located in the interior uplands of the country, it is one of Norway’s coldest places and has a rich history dating back to the 17th century.”

I can vouch that it was very cold but good clothing solves all problems and we came prepared.  We are from Shetland, after all.

It was a busy place but folk were friendly and helpful and we wandered around just looking at everything.

I loved it.  It was very pretty.

The horse bit of the festival was opened with traditional dancers – it was a winter painting by Pieter Breughel.

Next the reindeer arrived.

They were all very well behaved and I can’t begin to tell you just how much I wondered if I could bring one home.  Just a baby one. Who would even notice?

And then the horse driven sleighs came.  Around 80 horse-drawn sleds arrive with visitors from Sweden and the surrounding mountain villages and they paraded through the village while the crowds watch.

These are just a few photos from the thousands I took.

It was all beautiful.  I can still remember every minute of our fantastic trip to Norway and am now feeling very nostalgic. The photos are a good reminder of possibly one of my very best holidays.

Non Christmassy

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It has been a lovely day.  The light, peace, no wind….all glorious.

I fed the Shetland ponies who insisted on coming down afterwards into the little paddock, which was a bore because I wanted to get the sheep out while convincing them that they could all live together in perfect harmony.

Waffle was not helpful and insisted on stalking with a hint of chasing but I am hoping Gussie will stand his ground and make friends with them all and Waffle will give up.

The rest of the sheep are pretty scared of the ponies and rushed off into the bigger part of the field for the rest of the day.

I know Tiddles wouldn’t be horrid. It’s just Waffle. He can be difficult.  We’ll see how it goes. If the sheep refuse to go into the field tomorrow, then there are plenty of others to eat in.

And so to town for a spot of Christmas shopping.

I didn’t feel particularly Christmassy but I like to be organised and to know I have options.

Failing dismally, I went to see my sheep field.

I added more sheep and rearranged it a bit for good measure.

On my way home, the views were spectacular.  So good, in fact, that I stopped the car twice to take photos.

My spirit was soothed.  Now to find my Christmas one.

Pastures New

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I have figured why the Shetland ponies didn’t want to run around yesterday – they were depressed at their miserable living conditions.  The track has become increasingly nastier by the day.

So I made a decision, one that I have been thinking about for a while.  I caught four of the ponies (Tiddles, Silver, Albie and Waffle) while Newt followed like a good boy and led them all into the back field which has been grazed right down by everyone else first.

The transformation was immediate.

The ponies couldn’t believe their luck.

And off they rushed.  Tiddles stopping first for a quick roll.

He quickly caught up with his friends.

And I left everyone to explore and graze praying to all the Gods that I’ve done the right thing.

Next it was the turn of the big ones.  I decided that Iacs could follow and OH and I led the everyone over to Clothie, my 5 acre field.  But Iacs had other ideas and buggered off at a stonking trot down our track heading for the road.  OH offered to take everyone while I went after Iacs but I said (knowing his little ways) that he would soon be back and concentrated on getting Haakon, Kolka, Vitamoobag and Fivla into their field.

I was right.  Iacs soon realised he was on his own and we heard the sound of galloping and he quickly appeared, putting himself through the field gate to rejoin the others.

Silly boy and stupid me for trusting him.  I should’ve known better.

So this lot are all happy too.

Later, I returned to see how the Shetland ponies were getting on.  I had a word with Tiddles about staying well this winter.

I also told them this was all they were getting (and their morning minerals/vitamins)

Tiddles said he would try to not to be ill again.  I hope I haven’t made a huge mistake.

Move!

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Yesterday I said I would try and take more photos with my big camera, but this time of year it is very much weather-permitting.

However, today was a nice day and took my big camera out.  I wanted to take photos of the Shetland ponies running around.  They sometimes like to have a mad half hour in the mornings and it is very sweet to watch.  Lots of bucking and farting.

I found everyone huddled in one corner.

When I mentioned the possibility of running around and looking wonderful, I was met with glazed expressions all round.

“You want me to do what?”

“Move?  I think not”.

“Not for nobody”

So not feeling very encouraged, I made chivvying noises of encouragement and Silver helpfully took off.

 

Swiftly followed by Newt (like a baked bean shot out of a cannon!)

And then they ran back to their friends.  Sigh.

More “move it” noises and off Silver and Newt went again…..

And Newt, suddenly realising he was leaving his friends behind, did “a dirty stop”, the sort of thing that if you sat onboard, would have resulted in you going straight over his head to land in the mud!

More “come on, guys, move!” from me.

And they eventually shuffled off with absolutely no enthusiasm, though Silver and Newt were slightly better.

Newt managed to have a nice little roll, probably in something unmentionable if he could.

I am sure he is a closet capybara.

But at least he is a moving capybara.

Seriously, guys. Come on!

Oh, at last!  I was beginning they were glued to the spot.