Yesterday I was very worried about Albie. He spent most of his day lying down, with his legs stuck out, shallow respirations and sweating.  He had two doses of painkillers and I hoped for the best over night.

This morning, OH came in and said he thought Albie was dying.  I frantically finished dressing and dashed into the stable to find Albie lying down again, though he did get up when he saw me and ate his breakfast, along with a very generous dose of painkillers.

Daisy suggested a “soft bed” so I split the group up – with Albie and Storm in the smaller stable leaving Tiddles and Waffle in the bigger one.  Storm’s walking is not great either.  I opened and spread out my last two bales of shavings into the Albie/Storm’s bedroom and that seemed to help hugely.

I put more hay onto soak.  There are so many theories on how long to do this – too short and the sugar hasn’t left, too long and all the nutrients have leached out, too too long and it starts to fement!  I keep buckets of water on top to weigh the nets down.

I spent time this morning trying to cheer up Albie so I gave him a lovely long brush, which he adored.

And then I thought I ought to brush everyone else too.

Storm and Waffle also appreciated this, but Tiddles walked away.

Tiddles’ walking is much better now. Not perfect, but better.

Anywho, Albie has had a much better day today. Phew!  I can’t decide if he just has a very low pain threshold (he can talk himself into a misery) or that he is actually in real agony.  It’s hard to say but he is responding to treatment, so that is all that matters.

Eating and drinking is good and has got better during the day. They are all on soaked hay in small hole haynets, so they have to work for it, along with fibre block.

Yes, I am in contact with the vet too about all this.

I was looking at the old men, Haakon and Iacs, while they were eating their breakfast thinking to myself “isn’t nature amazing!”

Both horses were wet (I am trying to be tough and make everyone live outside, even if it rains. My mantra now is “they won’t melt, they are fat; they won’t melt, they are fat” and occasionally I will message Daisy or Flossie so they can confirm this for me and I won’t give in and dish out rugs and stables.)

Nature has kicked in, growing a long multi-layered winter coat….

…. that forms into little points for the rain to drip off, leaving a lovely dry undercoat next to the skin.

The belly (ok, rather huge) remains dry and fluffy from being underneath.

And they also have beautiful dry froo-froo bouffant knickers, as well.

All the lovely dirt and grease built up over the year from not washing it out also adds to their waterproofness.

It really is a bloody brilliant invention of nature and something to encourage, so no rugs or sheds for the foreseeable.  I expect to last the week!

After me, one more time ““they won’t melt, they are fat; they won’t melt, they are fat” !

It was time to put everyone back to the three long fields in Sandness.  I only originally brought the ponies home for the dentist and the farrier.

We decided to leave Storm, Tiddles and Albie at home on their hard-standing for a bit longer.  I am not sure if you know, but Albie rejoined the hard-standing/stable group yesterday as he was lying down a lot and being by himself.  So, possibly not thrilled at this prospect (they did shout), the boys were very good and had a few extra carrots to divert them while their friends all left.

Easy loading.  Always nice. Five ponies moved.

Some quickly cantered off.  Even the old ladies were active.

And then Floss and I sucked our teeth about Waffle.

We both agreed “he was just not right” so, after lunch, we went back with the horsevan and brought him home again.

And I think we made the right decision.

Storm was pleased to see his friend.

While we have no offishul diagnosis, I think Waffle is finding his feet painful with all this grass, as is Albie.

I gave Waffle a painkiller and declared stable-rest for all.

It is just for tonight.  Give everyone’s feet (and possibly brain) a rest.

Tomorrow, Tiddles and Storm, who are walking very well now, can go outside but Waffle and Albie will remain indoors.

Feeling exhausted with all these descision, this afternoon, I went into my shed and made a mini-Barrel!  I might’ve also added more wool to the original standing Barrel to make him a bit more realistic!

Remember this wee black lamb?

…. who was intrepid and greedy, from Day 1?

He even went on a dog walk with me, leaving his mother behind…. shouting!

Well, he was sheared for the first time this year and his fleece was gorgeous.  I have kept all their fleeces except ‘Ster’s.

After choosing a nice bit (hopefully around the neck, I think), washing and drying it (it took ages hung up over the Rayburn like dreadlocks), I carded a good pile today and made 5 lovely batts.  The colour is beautiful.

And then, this afternoon, I made this little chap!  A mini Harrel-the-Barrel!

Awwww…… *** sniff ***!

His wool was lovely to work with and most pure black.

Yesterday, we swapped Albie for Storm, who was also very sore on his feet.  Flossie had noticed he was lurking in the background looking miserable.

Tiddles was pleased to see him and Albie was glad to escape.

Talking of escaping, this morning, OH came in from feeding the hens/ducks to say that Storm and Tiddles were the other side of my optimistic single strand electric fence.  Of course they jolly well were!  I guess it was inevitable and it definitely was Storm who was to blame.  I put them back and lowered the fence.  They had gone under. No one jumps. I don’t encourage flight.

And today is a day of shite, weather-wise, so I felt sorry for the reprobates and brought them into the stable for their painkillers. I also made up a hay net too.  Maybe that will keep them out of mischief.

I left them playing with all the bowls.  The best toys – they are virtually indestructable.

I wonder where these two will be tomorrow.  Probably in the house!