This morning saw Monika (Sandness Equine Services) and me loading up Tiddles and Waffle to take them to the vet to have blood taken so we could decide upon the best treatment for them.

I thought I could save some money if I took the ponies to the vet and they both loaded beautifully, even Tiddles who can have a bit of a moment about the horsevan when he thinks about it.

Yes, Tiddles you know you do!

It was actually easier than I thought it would be and Waffle was perfect, while Tiddles managed to rear about 2″ off the ground when he was waiting in the van.  It wasn’t very dramatic and he looked like a large chess piece having a bit of a strop so Monika went and comforted him while Waffle had his blood taken.

Once home and we put them back to join their friends again in the field.

After lunch, I let Fivla and Vitamin out to graze the grass around the house.

Seeing Vitamin in the rain made me think she should could do with a little extra weight on her.

Vitamin was very obliging and followed me around telling me how she would like go back into the shed and have an early tea please, possibly two.

So that’s us. We will wait for the blood results next.

The weather has calmed down now and everyone has made it through perfectly well.  While the Icelandics were eating their breakfast, I took off their rugs.  They were dry and floofy underneath and probably glad to see the back of them.  No one is a fan of rugs but sometimes they are a necessity.

It was no joke struggling back across the hill with three large rugs and 3 buckets.  I lugged telling myself that rugs would be a very last resort for these three but I was glad they had done their job so well.

All the Shetland ponies went outside for the daylight hours as per their usual routine.  I was left with the most revolting filthy little boys bedroom to muck out. It was disgusting so I powdered it with antibacterial bedding powder and told myself to attack it at a later date.  It can drain a bit while I decide what would be the best treatment.

And then I set to work creating a new stall for the old ladies at the end of the shed which will give their stall a bit of a rest too.  They pee a lot.

The old ladies knew I was working in the shed and were trying to catch my eye as they wanted back inside so I ignored them.

The others were looking for grass but they were happy to be outside again.

Fivla giving me the evils!

There was a slight lull in Storm Éowyn this morning, so I managed to get up to the Icelandics’ field to give them their breakfast buckets.

I felt under their rugs, and they were completely dry and that made me feel much happier about leaving them outside to fend for themselves in this filthy weather.

I made sure they had a big bucket of food and later on OH went out with the dogs and gave the everyone a carrot each.

I have seen everyone grazing on the hill too so I am not going to worry.

While OH was out with the dogs, I enjoyed having the house to myself…… well, almost.  There was a loud miserable yowl and Monster appeared.

He then proceeded to annoy me and almost break the computer. I doubt it will be the same again.  Who knows what he’s done.

Monster was going nowhere, so I contented myself taking arty-farty photos of him instead.

Out first thing with the buckets.  The Icelandics are doing ok in this horrendous weather. I have been keeping an eye on them from a distance knowing they have lots of shelter, grass and a full belly.

The old croft house and the outbuildings are invaluable on days like these.  They don’t go inside (I don’t think but you never know with Iacs) but use the shelter they offer and can choose where they want to be.

Ted refused to go outside for his dog walk so we didn’t push the point.

Pepper has been my constant companion, braving some pretty fierce wind and rain.  She thinks it is her job to be with me.  I find it comforting though I do sometimes worry for her safety.

All the Shetland ponies went out for a few hours but when I found them all sheltering in one container with the rain lashing down, I opened up the big shed doors and shouted, praying to the Gods that no one had a fit of the Silly Buggers. But, no, they all went inside without a second thought….

… though Waffle struggles with the thought that Fivla and Vitamin get regular buckets of hay replacer.  He would like that too, yes please and thank you very much.

I’ve just been in mucking out the grubby little boys’ pen and Tiddles wanted to be with his friends, so I have opened the inter-connecting gates and they are now all the together.   He is much happier.

I gave the sheep some hay nets to nibble on.  Gussie and Dahlia are hard-core and staying out – their choice, though I had to shut their shed as otherwise we would probably lose the roof. There are other sheds they could go in, though and they know this.

I think tomorrow is going to be worse.   I may not get over to see the Icelandics but have to hope they are ok.  Sometimes the wind prevents walking.

We are in the calm before the storm so I got the Icelandic horses up to dry off, put rugs on and worm.  They will stay outside but in a more sheltered field across the hill.

Iacs was very unhelpful, parking himself next to the hay bale while I worked away at the others.

I decided to lead Haakon and Kolka to the new field hoping Iacs would follow.

Pah!

On my way out of the shed leading H&K, I shouted at Iacs to follow so he went on a rampage instead and tipped up all the buckets looking for things.

Feeling thwarted, I took off Kolka’s headcollar, told her to follow and got Iacs instead.  He could obviously not be trusted.

We set off across the hill, a route everyone knows and Kolka was dutifully following to start with and then she had an independent thought and left!

See that dot under the derelict house? Well that’s Kolka going on her adventure.

I shouted at her and told the boys to shout too, but of course they were completely silent.  Kolka eventually realised she was on her own, panicked and came rushing home…..

Useless, useless men.  Completely silent.  No help at all.

I love how the little ones are all watching transfixed by Kolka’s behaviour.

I think at this stage Kolka realised she should hurry up and get in that field.

Well, Haakon was very pleased to see her.  Iacs couldn’t care less.

And I could tell Kolka was remembering her dream of adventures.  Let’s keep them only as dreams, Kolka, please.