When I put Waffle, Tiddles and Albie into their paddock inside the shed for their laminitiss, I knew it was the paddock was a bit small but that was all the hurdles we had at the time.

So, today, I went to town armed with a pile of cash (from my sheep sales) and bought 12 hurdles to extend the paddock.  You don’t get many hurdles for a pile of cash but it was enough.

Once I had expertly rearranged, again, the car and trailer, I drove the van into the school and we let the boys out to play while we built their extension.

They were very happy and I think I will let them out to play on a daily basis.  They were cantering around giggling.

And investigated the whole set up getting into places they shouldn’t.

But the boys seemed happier even when I put them back in their new-and-improved paddock.  Not so small now.

OH also went around with pliers cutting off the loose chicken net ends and Tiddles “helped”.

I bought a gate for the big shed door that has to be chicken-proof because, if the door is open, they tend to come in and churn up the hay on the floor, which is annoying.

Later, this afternoon, I went in and brushed everyone.  They needed it.  Très bouffant.

I think the little boys felt better for being brushed, even Tiddles who hates being brushed.

My morning was spent lugging hurdles, feed bowls, feed boxes and setting up the massive water bucket in the big shed.

First, I parked the car and trailer properly, getting the van out for tomorrow’s trip to town for more hurdles.  You should’ve seen me reverse that trailer into the very small spot. I was brilliant and there was no one there to watch or applaud.  Isn’t that always the way?

And I made my wee paddock, which will be bigger once I buy the hurdles tomorrow (felted sheep money).

Although the little boys made themselves very at home in the sheep’s stable, I found that the they spent all last night eating the old sheep bedding which cannot be good for them. Also, the sheep were appalled that they have no bedroom.  They were very upset and refused to eat their breakfast in their “new” place.  It just didn’t work.

(Tiddles new BFF was a chicken)

So, I walked each pony separately into their new pen and the reason for not letting them have the whole indoor sand school is because last year (I think but it all seems a blur) Tiddles became a chippie-chipmunk and spent his days and nights eating the boards giving himself colic and nearly killing himself.  Hence the pen = no wood = no colic, please, thank you.

They are not thrilled with this new arrangement but they will get used to it and it will be better when it is bigger with the new hurdles that I will buy tomorrow.

I told them that.

Anyway, it is what it is and Waffle, Tiddles and Albie have to just suck it up, live there, lose weight, get sound while not having COLIC!  Them’s the rules.

I could not feel more of a failure to my Shetland ponies.

Yesterday, I took Tiddles and Albie into the small paddock where they will now live as they were walking with a very stiff gait. I was sucking my teeth while my waters were churning.

Today, Waffle joined them.

It seems that whatever I try to do for my ponies is the wrong thing.

I had put all my hopes into track-life being the way forward for them.  The winter weight was coming off beautifully and everyone was running around happily and then suddenly three of them weren’t.

It is a constant juggling act – trying to keep the weight on Vitamoo, while making the others lose weight and stay sound.

Tiddles isn’t even very fat.  Waffle was but has lost weight but Albie is rotund. To suddenly find them getting all the signs of laminitis is incredibly depressing.

How did Albie get fat on the track, while the others are losing weight eating the exact same thing?

I do think, however, that their hooves are all in a desperate need of a trim and the only thing we can do is wait for our farrier’s next visit. I don’t scrimp on trimming, I don’t ever miss a visit – the spring grass makes hooves grow and they could just all be very uncomfortable.  Maybe after a good trim, they will walk better and everything will be alright. We just have to wait until the end of the month for our appointment.

So it is back to soaking hay, monitoring everything they eat and worrying constantly that they are managing with no colic and not in pain.  I am so upset with myself.  I thought I was doing the right thing but obviously I wasn’t.

You know me, I like a craft fair, I do, so my friend, Mandy who I play flute duets with, and I drove into town to attend the Summer Craft Fair at Mareel.

There were two areas – the main auditorium and foyer.  As we were pretty early, there were only few customers around (which was lovely) but the stall-holders were all set up and ready.

We wandered around, chatting to the craft-makers and admired their stalls, buying Lovely Things as we went.

I cannot tell you just how much I was taken with this amazing picture by Hentilagets.  It spoke to me and then I had to convince myself that I needed it.

I also love these.

We did more looking at the Lovely Things.  This pendant is by Shetland Jewellery  – The Mirrie Dancers (northern lights) on Mousa Broch – my photos do not do it justice (the light in the auditorium was not helpful).

Shetland chocolate…… hmmmm.

Incredible woodwork by Paparwark.  That is a “jumper board” – a necessity for Shetland knitters.

I might’ve bought myself a vase too – because I have been looking for something small to put flowers in –  Gill Owen Ceramics

And I was totally in love with these crocheted cats. So clever.

Folk had worked very hard at their beautiful crafts.  I was very impressed at the high standard.  While we were perusing everything, the Fair did start to fill up with shoppers.  I was glad we had gone early.  It was a wise choice.

And yes, I brought the wave picture home.  I just had to. I love it. I needed it and it looks just right in my shed. It is the kind of thing that I would’ve gone back for the next day, only to find someone else had bought it.  But this time, it was me!

Here are a few photos from the dog-walk this morning.  I lugged my big camera (and it is heavy) along with me as it is the best one for action shots.

This is the type of photo which results in the comment “she is a good stamp of a dog” in the Patterdale terrier world (possibly the underground one and yes, there is one and you absolutely do not want to go there).

I think this photo sums up Ted up very well.  He is always in the wrong place.  Always.  It is his speshul skill.  He has spent many years cultivating it.

And this sums up Pepper perfectly too.  A typical terrier.

Anyway, we had a good walk around the fields.

And all I hear is my mother’s voice saying she wanted Ted to be a “Proper Dog”.

I think he is (even if he was a total twat at the vet’s last week).

Still, Pepper was not much better – this is when I was calling her to come back.  She took her time. ’nuff said.