We are in the middle of a three day gale and I stupidly let Mrs Duckie out of her shed thinking she was back on her feet.  She immediately flew up onto the container and has been living there ever since.

We are in the middles of this gale so, with some skilful manouevering this morning when there was a lull in the wind, I managed to put some food up to Mrs D which she was very appreciative of.  Water was a different task.  I tried three times but failed (too heavy) and managed to soak myself in the process.  I am hoping there is some rain water already up there.

Mrs D refuses to come down from her new spot and we are now on Day 2 of the gale but she seems to be ok.  With the wind getting up even more tomorrow (F10), I won’t be able to give her food until it calms down later.  I guess if she wants she can always fly down to join the others and then I can feed her.  We will see.  I feel bad for her but this was her choice, not mine.

So we are battening down the hatches in “flaming June” for a good Shetland blast along with  some rain.

I am staying strong on the Shetland pony front as I remind myself of the 10-20kg they have all put on in weight this month.  So nope, nothing, nada for food.  Track + the daily handful = healthy ponies.

After the morning chores plus a dog-walk, I gathered up my troop, aka Pepper, and we left for town in the horse-van.

I will admit that I rather regretted not bringing Pepper’s cushions with us as she squeaked the whole way that she couldn’t see out properly.  I told her to look to the side and she complained about the lack of her cushions. FFS!  Princess and the Pea.

We headed straight to Jamieson’s Knitwear to observe the field.

I topped it up and was pleased with the new banner thingy that was smartly attached.

And then Pepper and I walked up and down the street to see if we needed anything else.  Apparently we didn’t but it was all good training for Herself.  She met other dogs and walked away without aggro.

There was a big boat in – the Le Laperouse – with 184 passengers.  It looked very nice.  My sort of boat but then I remember the sea and the waves and realise I will never go on a cruise – I am very seasick.

Next, I went to the feed merchants to buy a round bale of hay to keep for the next emergency.  It will come. It always does and it’s always good to be prepared.

Pepper stayed in the van, much to her disgust.  I mean she has to go everywhere with me and I mean everywhere!

I could feel her willing me to let her out but this was no place for her to run around.

And then home and I felt a little tired so I had a rest with everyone “helping” me rest.  This help was non-optional.

Here is a health update on all my sickies.

No 1. – Silver

Well, possibly he’s fine and avoiding me.  We await the equine vet for more info.  I will keep you posted.

No 2. – Mrs Duckie

She is eating, drinking and happily making her water filthy.  She is also beginning to walk again so I am tentatively hopeful for her.  She is checked every ruddy minute of the day and I noticed she is starting to use her legs to get away from me and my ministrations (ungrateful ****).

(but I am secretly pleased about this progress).

No 3. – ‘Bert

(I am using bebé photos because it was shitting down with rain and I have nothing recent).

Anyway, ‘Bert is walking again, perfectly normally so phew. And seriously that he was such a drama queen about everything?  He asked me to shoot him while he was limping around.  It’s lucky I didn’t.

No 4. – ‘Ster

Again here are some bebé photos.  He is doing ok.  Same old, same old so I am beginning to stop worrying about him.  He eats, he drinks and when he sees more food, he runs!

My shearer said he will come next week, weather permitting, to shear everyone so that will be good as an expert opinion is always welcome these days.

Not gonna lie, I am relieved about Mrs Duckie. These days, it is the little things.

It feels like everyone is ill or falling to bits around here.

No 1. – Silver

Symptoms: He has a nasty something growing by his left ear.  About the 1cm in size but not going away.
Diagnosis: Possibly a sarcoid (very prevalent in grey equines) or a eosinophilic granuloma.
Treatment:  Ardene vets (Aberdeen equine vets) are coming next week – he is on their list – and I kissed it better.
Problem: Silver is a bit head shy and nervous. He is not very helpful so will require sedation for anything they want to do.  Other problem – everyone else wants to “help” – so they must be removed.

There is a lot of leaving while I want to look or photograph the offending growth.

No 2. – Mrs Duckie

Symptoms: She is off her legs and can’t walk. She uses her wings to move around.
Diagnosis: Possible crush injury due to rampant sex.
Treatment:  Bedrest in a quiet shed with access to food, water and a wee house.  Wait and see.  This has happened before to other female duckies.  They usually come good.

No 3. – ‘Bert

Symptoms: Hopping lame, can barely walk.  ? front foot problem.
Diagnosis: Maybe foot rot.
Treatment:  Antibiotic injection, painkillers and I trimmed and sprayed his feet.
Problem: He wants to be with his friends but can’t keep up.

No 4. – ‘Ster

Symptoms: Roach backed, lame at times, not very happy. Not himself.
Diagnosis: Not sure.  Maybe neurological.
Treatment:  Antibiotics, painkillers, ammonium chloride treatment, cobalt bolus and I trimmed and sprayed his feet.
Problem: He wants to be with his friends but won’t go under fences.  I am at a loss as to what to do next as he is eating, drinking and is enthusiastic about food so maybe this is just ‘Ster in his later years.

I’m off to sell a kidney and my first born (sorry, Daisy).

The chaps and chapesses hadn’t been weighed for a while so Monika came over with her scales.  This is very important as we have a horse vet from south coming up to see all the old ones (Kolka, Haakon, Iacs, Fivla and Vitamin) and Iacs will be sedated.  An accurate weight = accurate anaesthetic dose.

We did the little ones first.  All were very good about being caught and leading onto the scales.  They are used to this routine now.

Then it was the other’s turn. First, I chose Vitamin and then Fivla, who was skulking in the shed hoping I wouldn’t find her.  Haakon was the only idiot (I was ashamed), walking over the scales but just missing it by one leg.  I won in the end  by pushing fourth leg on and his weight was measured so he stood there sulkily defeated.

The results were very interesting. I had been worrying for ages about everyone’s weight.  Were the Icelandics too thin?  Apparently not.  Was Tiddles looking a bit bony and emaciated – definitely not.

It is incredible how just looking and prodding doesn’t give any sense of accuracy. In fact I was totally wrong.

So, Monika’s invaluable help and use of her scales were the answer and Plan B(iv.z) was made.  No more hay when it’s raining, no matter what for the little ones, even if they are utterly miserable. Stop the fattening mash and linseed for the old Icelandics and Shetlands – they don’t need it this time of year.

Scientia ipsa potentia est (knowledge is power) as they say and now I know, I must stay strong.