We brought the little boys inside this morning to assess their gait, laminitis, etc.

After seeing Albie and Storm move, I have decided to go back a few steps. Yes, they are moving better but they are not 100% yet (but not needing painkillers either).  Just a few more weeks, possibly.

It is difficult because I don’t know if what I am doing is the right thing but the past few days, when we had the snow, I relaxed the rules too much so I think they should go back to staying inside during daylight hours, and going out at night only.

The ponies had already had their buckets (nettle and TurmerAid with chaff) so I gave them some hay in a trickle-feed haynet (with the next batch on to soak) and left them inside for the day.

I can only do what I think is right. We go day to day and, although I think Albie and Storm are slightly better, they are not better enough to live in a field 24/7 with any sort of grass at all.

So, tonight, I put them out. With the days being so short, they get a good 18 hours outside.

I am totally flying blind here and praying their laminitis is on its way out for the time being and colic never rears its ugly head again.

I tell them they are my vampire ponies!

Having said a few days back that the Minion’s field was perfect, I of course moved them because that’s what I do. Say one thing, then do another!

So the ponies are now in the “middle field” which was eaten down to nearly nothing by Haakon and friends a few months back.

And, interestingly enough, they have all worked out how to get over the burn – Burn of Fleurad (a lovely name, no idea what it means).

This was first thing this morning. I called the ponies and, bless them, after much thought and deliberation they struggled over the burn, which was fairly high – water up to their bellies – and cantered up the hill towards me and my three buckets of nothing (chaff, TurmerAid and dried nettles).

Everyone was very soggy.

And they all ate hurriedly because there was a large vulture trying to circle above (thank you, Iacs).

The middle field is much bigger but full of nothing. It has better shelter, which can only be useful this time of year.  I am glad the ponies are crossing the burn, though.  It means they want to walk about and look for anything to eat. Tomorrow I think I will get them into the school and see what they are like walking without mud, water, etc.  I can get a proper view of them too.

This is Silver’s story. He came to me as a 2013 weaned foal, along with Storm and Waffle in January 2014. when the weather had been absolutely vile.  You can see the rescue here. It wasn’t pretty but it was necessary.

Ten years later, Silver has finally grown up, changed colour and turned into a lovely handsome chap.

Ok, he still has his swallowed-a-button face but he is not nervous about much now.

And he has “a kind eye”(s).

Of the three, Silver was the shyest and he worried a lot.

Now he just wants nose kisseys and I, of course, am happy to oblige. That’s what I am here for.

Of all of the original three rescued Shetland ponies, I think Silver actually has come the furthest.  To begin with, he struggled with everything and, while he can still have his moments, I am actually very proud of how he reacts and behaves when the chips are down.  It only took ten years but we’re in it for the long haul.  I think he finally realises all is good.

And this was his original colour!

These photos are from yesterday. Today the snow has melted with endless rain and everyone does not look fluffy and pretty anymore.  Think drowned rats, so I didn’t photograph them.

Anywho, moving swiftly backwards to yesterday ….. after we had dished out carrots to Albie, Storm, Waffle and Tiddles, Floss and I moved onto the old men who were in the far corner of the field thinking that they had been invaded by small things.  They had a point.

Floss was on carrot duty while I was on camera.

The old men got more carrots (and Pasture cookies – you know who you are and thank you!) than the littlies because they are not on a permanent diet.

Floss remarked that if airport security join the other strikes, we could supply our local airport (Sumburgh) with three very efficient pat-down security guards.

Nothing gets past these three. Nothing. Haakon even left the group to walk around to have a go at me, just in case I had a large slice of chocolate cake hidden about my person.

He would not be told and had to settle for a hug, which he hated. He is not that kind of guy.  29 years old and he only likes (tolerates) hugs when he is ill!

Meanwhile Floss was being searched with by the professionals.

Yesterday was cold, but beautiful. Today is dreich again.  Day by day is how we work this time of the year.

More snow fell last night and the ground is now solid, ie frozen.  The Shetland ponies mind this very much. They stop walking, and get very depressed.  The ice builds up in and around their hooves. They don’t want to move, preferring to stand around waiting for food and even fogetting to drink …… and then colic.

So I opened the gate.

And they went to join the old men in their field because it is much softer (old grass) there.  Better for their feet.

The boys didn’t need asking twice and were instantly much happier.  The water has frozen in all the outside taps, so we took buckets of warm water to everyone too making sure they all had a good drink.  There is also a running stream at the bottom of the field.

Later on, after feeding the old ladies and checking Silver and Newt in Leradale, Floss and I went out with carrots.  An instant popularity contest win!

It was so nice to see them happier. They are all managing very well doing what they do best – digging for the grass.

Just seeing their little faces made me realise I had made the right choice for them today.  It makes much more sense and a happy pony is one that eats and drinks.

They can all stay together during the freeze.