Today has not been good.  Storm had colic.  Something was rumbling yesterday but he wasn’t rolling so I hoped it would pass. He was eating but lying down a lot.

Today, Storm certainly wasn’t right – he refused food and he was yawning/Flehman’s response (lip curling upwards), rolling and lying down with his legs stuck out and he was decidedly unhappy. OH said there was not much poo in the stable from overnight when he mucked out.  I decided to put him and Albie out with the others in the field to see if that would brighten him up.

I also phoned the vet and she agreed this was a good course of action. To start with I thought that would do it but no……

…. and as the morning progressed, Storm was still not right and getting worse as I stood and watched.

I told Albie not to get laminitis again.

He said he would try.

Anywho, back to Storm. My waters were now churning so I phoned the vet again.

She agreed to visit so I brought Storm with Fivla and Vitamin as company over to the house.

The vet came. Respirations, heart rate, temperature, hydration, colour = all normal. Gut sounds were there but a little quiet on one side.  IV injections were given for pain, and an anti-spasmodic. The vet departed.

And with that Storm started eating!  Huzzah.

I put him outside with Fivla and Vitamin so they could stay around the house but no, Vitamin started shouting her head off for the others and Waffle stood by the gate looking lost.

So I opened the gate, leading Waffle and the rest cantered over – that is Albie in the middle distance who was the tail-end Charlie.

Into the field and I watch Storm like a hawk.

He seems “normal” now so fingers crossed we caught the colic in time.  The juggling act of colic vs. laminitis is still very worrying.

So, I am off to sell a kidney, or my first born (sorry Daisy), as calling a vet out on a Sunday is not going to be cheap.

A beautiful sunrise this morning.  Cold and windy but still beautiful.

And it made a nice back drop while Vitamin ate her brekkie.

Pepper (and Ted) were with me. Ted hides behind the drystone walls, but Pepper likes to be with me and the ponies.

And today Silver wasn’t trying to stamp on her – he can be mean, but Pepper knows this, watches for the signs and gives him a wide berth if necessary.

And I am glad that Silver has accepted Pepper.  We have had words about his murderous ‘haviour.

Sweet.

Then Tiddles joined in. I trust Tiddles more with Pepper.

The sun made a brief appearance.

And the light was instantly magical.

Good old Waffle. I am not sure which photo I like the best, to be honest.

Once the girls had finished eating, I washed eyes (Fivla), swooshed mouths (Vitamin), sprayed hooves (Vitamin) and gave Silver a kiss on his nosey for being a gentleman and not a stamping murderous maniac today.

These days, Ted looks like something off the Muppets. He is in desparate need of his twice yearly wash and hair cut which is luckily booked for the beginning of December.

I feel rather ashamed but Ted is now a croft dog who goes digging and running around in the fields. I doubt my mother would be impressed with how he looks but she would approve of how he lives.

Anyway, hopefully the dog-groomer will recreate a version of perfection and I think I will book Ted in once every three months so he doesn’t go so long and get quite as revolting!

Pepper is just lucky – she is one of those dogs who the mud doesn’t stick to because she is too busy whizzing quickly past.

No one knows how Monster stays so clean. It is one of life’s mysteries.

Meanwhile, the weather continues.

This afternoon there was a small patch of blue sky – possibly enough to patch a Dutchman’s trousers (anyone else know that phrase?)

Apparently it might calm down next Monday…. briefly.

I think we all be pleased if only for a very short time before it revs up again with a possible threat of snow!

These days, I can never find Harrel-the-Barrel and that is because I put a lick bucket down in the sheep-shed to help ‘Ster’s hooves and the weather is vile.

And with that Harrel vanished, never to be seen again.

I think we all know what he’s been doing.

And I think we can all safely say that Harrel-the-Barrel has a new friend!  He is one happy little boy.

We are in a lull now. Today has been fierce and going out this morning to feed the horses and ponies was hard but OH and I did it.

The ponies were of course fine. They all came down the hill and the old ladies got their buckets.  In another field, the old men appeared on the horizon and then stood by the open shed and said they were happy being outside, thank you very much.

I had worried all night about everyone  but no one was shaking or looking miserable so I have stopped worrying.

Albie and Storm are doing ok.  Storm is sound while Albie still has painkillers. He needs them and moves far more freely with them. Without, he goes back to pottering and looking miserable.  The difference is huge.

After my lunch, I put the boys in the school while I mucked out in peace.

While I was shovelling, Lambie pushed his way into the stable.  I felt sorry for the other sheep and let them come in too.

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While Lambie ate his “private” straw bale, I gave them a haynet to munch on.  They were very happy (as ever, Harrel had gone to bed and Madge was happy outside).

We’ve had one casualty, so far, in the storm.

Pepper, no matter what, and I mean what, follows me everywhere.  She will not be told no or to stay inside. She has to be with me, which is lovely especially at night when I go out last thing because I won’t lie – I am scared of the dark.

Anywho we are all making the most of the lull.  Hopefully the next few days won’t be so bad.