We spent this morning in the drizzle emptying the shed and stable of all Kolka’s previous owner’s horsey stuff, and she had a lot of stuff.  Everything.

Anyway, we brought it all home and I drove the van into the indoor school so I could empty everything in relative dryness and peace.  A place for everything and everything in its place, I heard echoing in my brain as I looked at the massive pile of stuff.

And obviously I had help, though Ted went swiftly indoors when he saw the bed I was offering.

He was unimpressed, though Monster happily made it his home.

Pepper and Monster entertained each other while I lugged everything out of the van.

And there was the inevitable “playing”. Pepper was mean but Monster was meaner. He got her hard when her back was turned and he meant it. I left them to it.  It is their war. Not mine.

And dear little Pepper was totally unphased by the cat beating her up.

She makes me smile with her enthusiasm and optimism.

It was a grudge match.

I could tell Pepper and Monster were bored keeping me company while I worked, so I left the van door open and that was a whole new world.

Amongst all the stuff I unpacked is a large pile of pony agility equipment which, in theory, would be fun to play with for the Minions but then the thought of Storm and a space hopper made me feel a little sick!  I will sell it to raise funds for Kolka’s medical needs.

And no one needs a pirate flag!  Not even Newt.

Today I moved Fivla and Vitamin to the next-door field that has the spring grass.  While the Minions were eating their mins and vits, I led Fivla with her bucket through the gate and closed it very quickly.

Then I went back for Vitamin, did her hooves and mouth, and sent her through too.

As a diversion, I scattered some apple and celeriac peelings behind me.  Newt was not impressed.

The old ladies didn’t need asking twice about where they wanted to live.

And the little ones will just have to put up and shut up.

The only one I feel really bad for is Albie.

He will mind not having his Fivla with him but he and his friends are not going to go through another winter like last year, stuck in the shed with painful laminitis. It was horrid for everyone. I have told him this and will explain it to him every day if I have to.  This is For His Own Good.

Anyway, I listened to their complaints and walked away.

This afternoon I secretly went back and, as no one was expecting me, they weren’t hanging around waiting by the gate.

I wanted to see where they had gone in my absence.

The old ladies had left the gate and already had a field between them and the Minions.

Happy old ladies. I have thought long and hard about this. It is not fair they, in their late 20’s, should be on the same diet as the youngsters.  Nope.

And then I was spotted……

And the old ladies stayed where they were, which I thought was interesting, and I went home again.

I feel happier now.  This feels right.

The Minions are still in their 40 acres of nothing and I must admit that I am feeling bad for them.

Yes, they get their daily bucket of minerals, vitamins and low-calorie sludge to try and stop any hint of laminitis in its tracks but for the rest of the time, they have to search for food.

Fivla and Vitamin obviously have their fattening food…..

… but is it enough?

I know Shetland ponies should live off fresh air but it is the old ladies I worry about.

The field they are living in has absolutely no green grass.  Just old hill grass and that’s about it.  I wonder whether I should move the old ladies next door as that field has green spring grass but I know they will stop the others going off to find food (they hang around by the fence) and also they will miss their little herd hugely.

I am trying my hardest to stay strong and not to just open the gate and let everyone have nice grass.  It is very difficult as I like them to be happy and not on a permanent diet.  I keep telling myself that every blade of green grass could potentially trigger laminitis but….. what about the old ladies. Don’t they need more than a daily bucket of calories?  When they came home for the dentist, they stuffed their little faces with the lovely spring grass. They were so happy but equally thrilled to go back to their friends.

Oh, I don’t know. I must stay strong. Sorry, I am thinking out loud.

My car was given the all-clear so OH kindly drove me into town to collect it.  I wanted my car more than I wanted to watch the Coronation (I did manage to catch the good bits when I got home).

Anyway, once home I took the dogs, who had been waiting patiently for my return, for a walk in the wind and drizzle. It was not pleasant but you-know-who came too (I have no idea why – it was horrible outside).

And this is Kolka when she first saw The Great White Panther on our dog walk.  She could not believe her eyes.  It was very funny.  She was transfixed.

“What is this?” she asked me.  I didnt have an explanation ready……

“Well, you see I have this white cat called Monster and he thinks he’s invisible and he likes to go on dog walks” doesn’t really cut it somehow.

And if I am going to be perfectly honest Klængur, my money is on Monster so you have been warned.

Please don’t eat all the beautiful wild primroses, Kolka.

And then everyone wanted to come on this walk while it continued to rain.  Ugh.

One soggy cat, and two dogs later, I got my lunch together and watched the Coronation.

My car is at the garage having life-saving surgery so I am running about in the horse-van, which is fine, if a bit big for the job.

I have been putting off my decision to take the Old Ones home since they were loving life at Leradale so much.

And, while I don’t want the Minions to even sniff a blade of grass, the Icelandics need more, especially the old ones (Haakon, Iacs and Kolka).

Today I made the decision to bring them home because when Kolka turned slightly, I swear I saw a line of ribs which made me suck my teeth.  No, not on Iacs – he just looks strange. That’s his normal.

So I put headcollars on Kolka and Klængur and attempted to load them. Klængur was having none of it.  He wouldn’t even go near the ramp.  So I tied him up and quickly loaded Kolka, who was very obliging.  Then I turned my attention back on Klængur who was upset his “wife” was now in the van.  As Klængur’s main aim in life is to stand next to his beloved, I used this knowledge to my advantage and pretty soon he loaded and I drove them home.  I also told Klængur that he would end up staying at Leradale with only the Minions for company forever!

And now, in these photos Kolka doesn’t look too bad for a 27 years old.

(if Klængur gets fat, he has a place reserved at my friend’s Fat Camp for the summer, like last year.)

And then I went back and got Haakon and Iacs who loaded like the dream horses they are.

Iacs would’ve probably driven home if he knew how to work the pedals.

Secretly I am thrilled my horses are home. I hated not being able to see them when I look out of the window.  It feels “right” now.