While I was feeding Vitamin (doesn’t she look well?) her daily bucket, I went around to talk to everyone to tell them one thing….

Don’t you get laminitis, Storm…..

Or you, Silver…. (note-to-self, I must brush your forelock again)

And absolutely not you, Tiddles….

Fivla?  Please no…..

Definitely not you, Waffle!

Or you, Newt!

Step on it, don’t eat it, Albie!

Anyway, I don’t think they believed me for one minute.

The grass is looking beautiful with lots of wild flowers everywhere.

I shall be keeping a keen eye on the ponies for any signs or symptoms of the dreaded laminitis (founder).

Today I took Pepper with me. She was a good girl and happily jumped into her car-crate, travelled silently as my companion.

She likes the ponies and they seem to tolerate her too.  She adores Leradale and runs madly about exploring.

You’re on one very sticky wicket, Newt! Just sayin’.

Today, the Minions moved fields.

I said I would do it and, to be fair, they were only at Thordale for a short holiday.

They knew that.

I told them often enough.

So, with a friend who helped hugely, I shifted them over 3+3+2 at a time this afternoon.

They all were caught, loaded and led like clockwork (/insert smug and proud Muzzah smile here).

And we could see they were very happy to go to Leradale, where they will stay (if possible) until the beginning of January.

I will see how the grass lasts.

Vitamin is looking good and will continue to have her daily bucket when I drive over to check them.

I am glad they are in their favourite field.  Leradale is the perfect home for Shetland ponies.

So back to driving but, as it is only 2 miles, I don’t mind.  The ponies are happy so I am happy.  They can come home when they need to, ie when the Shetland winter seriously kicks in.

A little known fact – the shed can hold four Shetland ponies. Who knew?

I have to say that it was also very “close” in there – the smell was eye-watering (think sweaty jockstrap after a Rugby Union match that went to extra time!)  You get the picture.  Since then, I have mucked out and refreshed the whole area.  It is much nicer now.

I could tell Waffle wanted inside too.  Fool.

Anywho, Vitamin happily ate her breakfast bucket oblivious to all of this.

I think the rules are one out and then one in.  A rota system is run by Vitamin, obviously.

Meanwhile theOld Men wouldn’t walk across the burn and so have missed their breakfast all day.  And don’t I know it.  Baleful glares every time I go outside but since they won’t come up, there’s nothing I can do. I told them that.  They hate me.

I found my-Newt having a little bit of a sit by himself this morning, just like The Story of Ferdinand – possibly my most favourite of books.

I crept slowly nearer as I love seeing my ponies asleep and Newt was looking particularly sweet today.

But sadly he noticed me…..

…. And then he got up.

But he ambled towards me….

…. for his statutory nose kissey and a hug.

And then he went off on his little way.  I do love my quiet, if short, moments with Newt.

A bleak day for all of us today.  Non stop rain while both dogs went to the vet and so everyone was very anxious.

Pepper was due to be spayed while Ted was going to have “a dental” – both under general anaesthetic.

When we came home, the house seemed too empty.  There was a level of noise that had vanished and no one was pleased to see us.  No mad bouncing.

I decided to fill my day setting up Airdrop on three computers and failed. Monster was everywhere but, honestly, he was no help.

At lunchtime the vet phoned to say Pepper was producing milk so he could not spay her.  There was a bit of a panic about the possibility of her being pregnant but it was confirmed that she is most definitely not (phew!) Meanwhile, Ted has his teeth cleaned and polished.

So, I went to collect them both this afternoon and I am living in the doghouse.

Pepper is resentful and furious with me for her horrible day.

Ted is a bit cooller about things.  Everyone said he behaved beautifully, which cheered me up.

Pepper starts medication to dry up her milk and then hopefully in two weeks time, she will be spayed and I can be loathed all over again. I seem to remember BeAnne had a similar thing after her first season so maybe it’s a Pattterdale-terrier thing.