Upon my return from feeding the ponies, I found the Old Men having a morning nap in the old tattie rig (potato field).  It is beautifully enclosed in the valley with high drystone walls all the way round. Luxury ensuite with running water and waitress service.

Filling my pocketses with carrots, I went down to see if everything was alright. This time of year, I am here to serve.

Yup, everything was fine.

Iacs

Haakon

I was asked politely to empty my pocketses.  Watching these two, I decided there was absolutely no doubt that they are related.

Cousins, to be precise.  There is a definite family resemblance.  You can’t miss it.

And then, as they were fine, I climbed back up the hill and went to serve some other animal that wanted something.

Waitress service only!

I feel so sorry for Monster. He wants to be a glorious hunter/gatherer but he fails on one point ….. he is very visible and not very silent, either.  This was from a few day’s back.

Monster announced his arrival at my wee shed by whinging and wet from the rain. He wanted me to know all about this while I was busy working on a sheep.

I booted him off my work area and put him on an old piano stool.

Please note the glorious chest of drawers behind.  That was my Great-Great Aunt Kate’s that was bombed in the war whilst in storage.  I try to polish it regularly and properly.

Anyway, Monster did not appreciate the history lesson but did quite like the piano stool which my mother had reupholstered many years ago.

Then there was the whinge about why does the dog get the chaise longue – because he got there before you, Monster.  And no, it’s not fair.

As my coat was on the floor, Monster decided to make it his home, albeit grudgingly.

Yesterday, my flute duet friend came for our regular Saturday afternoon practice and so Monster quickly made her his friend.  He is such a louche!

A music stand almost fell over.

And Monster even had a go.  It makes a change from the yowling.

He is such a charmer but not a very appreciative audience.

Why are all my animals slightly strange?

So that’s Tiddles back with his friends now.  He loaded beautifully (last time, he put the brakes on in the middle of the road and a neighbour had to help shove him into the van!)

I popped Tiddles into the field after I had put out the bowls for the old ladies, Fivla and Vitamin.

It was interesting to watch – Tiddles went up to introduce himself to Fivla, who is now the boss mare of the herd.  She told him where to go – note the swish of the tail.  Next she would’ve given him both barrels!

Poor Tiddles. He thought he would get a better welcome than that.

I hope Newt will take him under his wing as they only really have each other.

Silver was easily caught – again, another surprise as I thought he would be haring around the field with the newly-arrived Tiddles.  But no, a carrot and a headcollar and he loaded into the van.

I put him into the indoor school and sent the others in to say hello.

Again, this was a complete non-event.

So that’s Tiddles gone and Silver starting a very strict diet.  He has many kilos to lose.  Sorry, Silver!

I took Little Herself to see the ponies at Sandness. Pepper behaved very well despite Silver trying to kill her.

And so, what to do?

Silver is fat.  There, I’ve said it (as is Newt but not quite as bad).

I must stop seeing that I have four ill ponies as one pony and therefore treating them as such.

So, this morning, I put Waffle and Tiddles in the school to give them a bit of exercise.

They both cantered and trotted about the place.

Plus a spot of mooching.

In my opinion, Tiddles is fine now.

…while Waffle is about 90% ok…..

Tiddles was irritated by a badly fitting head-collar.

I said I would change it but he wouldn’t be caught…. so, therefore, not my problem.

Plan: I think Tiddles can now go back to the herd and Silver must come home. He is obese.

Tomorrow, plan will be executed.

This afternoon, I put the four little boys into the school to see how well or badly they were now moving.

Waffle and Tiddles were fine.

And, yes, they did roll into each other – silly boys.  A huge sand school and they have to almost crash.

There was running around, bucking and playing from Waffle and Tiddles, but not really Albie and Storm.

I could see just how crippled with the laminitis they really are.

So, after 30 minutes, while I did some serious mucking out of the stables, I put them all back in.  Waffle and Tiddles in the larger stall while Albie and Storm have the smaller stall with all the soft bedding.  I shall put Storm back on painkillers too.  I had thought he was moving better than he actually is.  My mistake.  Separating them will also stop Albie being tormented by Tiddles (who was furious at my decision and started eating the gate!)