I moved Albie and Storm to the indoor school first thing this morning having decided that this will be their new home for the foreseeable.

It is nice and big. I don’t ride anymore so ideal to keep Shetland ponies in and off the grass.

This time I am soaking all their food so please, no colic.

I have also arranged some sheep hurdles at the big door so they can see daylight. Sheep will also be kept out, which is a plus.

Next I moved the Old Men (and Klængur) to the “bottom field” which has been resting all spring/summer/autumn.

My aim is that they will have food for when it snows and I won’t have to lug hay nets.

The chaps seemed please with my decision.

And then…. I drove the horsevan over to Leradale to collect Tiddles and brought him home to live in the indoor school with Albie and Storm.

I have hopefully now made the arena Shetland-pony-proof though Storm is testing everything.

Tomorrow, I will spray everything with Crib-Stop for any potential chippie-chipmunks!

Our farrier, Stephen, came to Thordale today.

As daylight is brief this time of year, we did the Minions first because they are in a field with no luxury of extra lighting.

While Stephen worked, I caught and tied up the next contestant.

There was much “helping” and interest.

The boys, who had laminitis, were trimmed and we discussed continuing treatment.

Storm’s colic had rather derailed my laminitis thoughts.

Anywho, once back home, the Old Men were deemed fit and fine. Nothing done there and Pepper had her first riding lesson.

Stephen left and, while the sun was almost gone (I took this photo earlier), I went back with the horsevan, caught and loaded up Storm and Albie.  They are home now.  Tomorrow I will go return for Tiddles. I thought we had got through this but apparently there is evidence of hoof structural changes.  The dreaded laminitis is still amongst us, dammit.

The forecast for this week is snow or “snaa'” (in Shetland dialect).  So, as it was a lovely calm morning, I made the decision to move the Minions to their winter field at Leradale.  It is only a 5-10 minute drive away tops, so it is no hardship to me and the field has masses of old grass and lovely shelter.  My aim this winter is to lug as little as possible anything heavy.

A kind friend helped – it is always easier with two – and we did three loads of 3+3+2 very quickly. Everyone loaded beautifully, travelled well and unloaded with no complications. They chaps are used to this now.

On the last load, I took my big camera and once I had nailed up a gate (very badly), I went to see where they had got to.

It only took one call….

“I kick you….”

“No, I kick you!”

Newt wasn’t really into the running around thing as he wanted to come and talk to me.

The rest bounced around happily.

It was good to see Albie moving so well, as well as Waffle.

Fivla was telling everyone to “stop running in the corridors!”

Newt was on his mission. We would talk and we did.

The happy running continued.

And they were last all seen going around the corner.

Then suddenly Newt remembered who and what he actually was…..

And set off  like a baked bean shot out of a cannon!

A horrible day outside and I honestly have done nothing useful today that is worth mentioning so I took photos of Monster instead.

A little known fact (well, I didn’t know this), “white cats symbolise positivity, purity, and happiness. The color white generally was linked to positive energy, prosperity, and good luck.”

But then I also read this, whilst doing my extensive research on white cats – “In some countries, especially around the United Kingdom, it’s believed you will live in poverty and lose all of your money if you own a white cat.”

I read this last bit out loud and OH replied “well, that’s about right!”

I think we are lucky to have Monster and I also think Pepper is very lucky to still be alive. They play some fearsome games together but remain the best of friends.  Ted and Monster have reached an understanding.

I wish we knew anything about Monster’s background.  We know his original name but were asked to change it by the SSCPA when he was rehomed with us.  I like to imagine the little kitten Monsters all over East Scotland as he was a tomcat for many years! I bet they were all enchanting too, like their dear old dad.

Ted’s last appointment with the dog groomers was six months ago.

He is now revolting.

So today was the day – I have had this appointment booked for six months.

Ted travelled well – a few whinges but he soon settled – and I let him out for a pee before he went in.

Ted was away for just over 2 hours and I went into town and trawled around Tesco’s, Commercial Street for messages and chips and then back to collect a now-gorgeous and better-smelling Ted.

Short back and sides, please and are you going anywhere nice for your holidays?!

And now we all love Ted again because he doesn’t look like a health hazard.

He has been transformed to be all sleek and shiny.

So handsome (I think he can wear his red coat outside, though) and I’ve booked him back in for 3 months’ time as 6 months is just too long an interval.

Apparently Pepper really missed her friend today. She almost didn’t want to go on a dog walk. Almost.