Category Archives: MyShetland

Me, Me, Me!

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It is always me, me, me with Monster.  Never anyone else.

He was on full annoying-cat mode yesterday afternoon while I was trying to work.

He got in the way, he wanted attention, he wanted what I was working on and he wanted to take up as much space as possible and I wanted him to stop.

“Am I in your way?”
“Yes you are, mate!”

So, realising he wasn’t going to stop or go away, I cleared a space at the end of my table (which is not easy) and encouraged Monster to go and look out of the window.  He shuffled off grudgingly.

And eventually Monster settled and I thought that was it and got on with my work, again.

But Monster wasn’t going to enjoy himself, (as long as I knew) or settle.  He had other plans for me.

After a bit more annoying, and getting in the way, I evicted Monster from my work table telling him it was his basket or nothing now.  I could take no more.  Yes, I could’ve let him out but Pepper was itching to follow and run away.

So, Monster grudgingly (again – he does a good grudge) chose the basket.  It was a snug fit but at least he gave me some much needed peace and quiet.

Next time I’m not opening the door to my shed. I am too nice.

Feeling Sorry for the Shetland Ponies

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I was feeling sorry for the Shetland ponies (Waffle, Tiddles, Newt, Silver and Albie) who have been living on the track all summer.  It must be very boring for them.

And they’ve been so good, sticking to their diet, never once (so far) trying to escape, accepting their very miserable fate of pulling hay out of a double-thickness haynet with the tiniest holes ever.  It’s not easy trying to find a scrap of food if you’re a fat little pony.

But they’re looking good. They’ve managed to escape laminitis, so far, and everyone is well.

So, as it is very calm outside, I gave the ponies their daily ration of hay in a big pile and told them to enjoy it.

The equine dentist had also remarked when he visited, that he could see evidence of wear from the double haynets.  If it’s not one thing, it’s another. I can’t seem to do right for doing wrong.  Teeth or laminitis …. you choose.

But a few calm days of loose hay for a change surely makes the chaps happy.

And they must have some quality of life. That’s very important.

Once the grass loses its autumn sugar flush, all the ponies will go into the big field that has been grazed all spring/summer by the others.

Then they can have a holiday from track life.  I think we are all looking forward to that.

Sørlandet – Oldest Tall Ship in the World

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Ted had an appointment with his hair-dresser’s so I dropped him off and went on to town to get a few things.

It was a lovely calm day and the harbour looked gorgeous.

While I was driving in, I noticed there was a beautiful old ship in port so obviously I had to go an investigate.

She was the Sørlandet, a Norwegian heritage tall ship – the world’s oldest and most authentic fully-rigged ship.

I wandered around on the pier side and admired her beautiful lines and rigging.

From Wikipedia – “Construction on the Sørlandet was started in 1925 at Høivolds Mek shipyard in the city of Kristiansand on the south coast of Norway based on a £25,000 grant from ship owner O.A.T. Skjelbred. Completed on 28 May 1927, she measured 210 feet in length and 577 gross tons. She was given the name Sørlandet after the Norwegian region from where she originates.”

From Sail Training Website – “The objective of the ship’s sailing activities is to offer the general public an experience in traditional life on board a tall ship, as well as maintaining the ship by active use.

Our trainees will be divided into three watches; Port Watch, Midships Watch, and Starboard Watch. The watches work in shifts during the voyage. our sail trainees become a part of the crew onboard the Sorlandet. Everyone will receive training and guidance from our professional crew members regardless of previous experience or knowledge. It is exciting and rewarding to be in charge of the important tasks that are to be solved on board. Trainees get and overview and an understanding of life aboard Sorlandet during the sail. “

While I am not a huge fan of boats, as you may be aware, even I might want to have a go (but only might, mind – boats and me are not a good combination. I would much rather ride a horse!)

Outside. All of You!

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The horses had their breakfast and then they just stood there in their shed not going anywhere like outside.

Plus some chickens arrived.

By 10.30 it was quite a nice day outside.  The back door was wide open.  It had been all night so everyone could come and go.  We were pretty sure Iacs had worked this out.

Haakon poked his nose outside to see if I was telling the truth about the nice day.

And then a bit more appeared and in the end all three horses filed out and went off to eat some grass.  Huzzah!

The day got nicer but I found Iacs standing around, waiting to help with any food-related chores.

I was trying to feed an errant duck who told me he had missed breakfast so could he have some now.  I stood determinedly stood guard.

After lunch, I decided that the safest place for everyone was the lower field.  Floss found  Kolka had a cut to her forehead (as well as her back legs from the accident) – we have no idea how she did that.  I sprayed it with antibiotic spray, gave her last a/b injection and we led all three down to their new field telling them to stay out of trouble.

The horses were last seen stuffing their fat faces.  I can’t let Fivla and Vitamin in there yet because the grass is that bit too good for them, so they have to content themselves being next door where they can all see each other perfectly well.  Anyway, they have the shed all to themselves so that must count for something.

I’ve had enough of the drama now.  Thank you very much.  Can everyone stop hurting themselves.  The sheep will be pleased, though.

Kolka Update

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Kolka seems a lot more like her strong 32 year old self today.

She is alert, interested and eating better, although still stiff when she walks but there is more range of movement in her hind legs.

She remains on twice daily painkillers, an injection of antibiotics (which she is very good about – it’s a big one with a large needle), probiotics and is mostly living outside with her waterproof rug on.

Her eating is more enthusiastic too, which is encouraging.

Fivla and Vitamin are close by shouting for their herd but they have to stay where they are as the grass around the house is too rich for them, especially this time of year.

However, the sheep are very unimpressed with this new set-up.

I have barred the entrance to their shed so they can still come and go if they want with no horses inside.

And opposite, the horses can do the same if they want shelter.   There is food and water there too.

So, turn left if you’re a horse and right if you’re a sheep.

As I write, absolutely no one has worked out my marvellous piece of shed management.

But I think the long rich grass, the pottering about with her friends is what Kolka needs to keep her mind and her guts active.

So, keep thinking and praying for Kolka as I keep forgetting she is 32 years old. Yesterday’s drama was not something an old lady should have to go through.  I thank the Gods we got to her when we did.