I took the horsevan to Leradale to give it a run and to see if we needed it for Vitamin and Fivla.  I have been sucking my teeth about Vitamin for a few days.

After Vitamin’s half-arsed attempt at her bucket, I made the decision to bring her home, with Fivla for company.

When we arrived home, we put them in the stable and I tried Vitamin out on “green sludge” (fibre block by any other name).

She quite liked it and even ate some mouthfuls.

After making sure the ladies had everything they could both possibly need, I drove to Lerwick to get more hay and visited the feed merchant to get a lick bucket and some sugar beet.  Then home not even stopping for chips!

It became very clear very quickly that both ponies did not want to be kept inside so we walked them slowly over to Clothie.

Ok, there is no grass but we can keep a better eye on them and feed little and often if we can find whatever it is Vitamin wants to or can eat.  She liked the lick bucket. Sugar, sugar, sugar.  I don’t care.

Delivered today were many blocks of grassibix – dried grass with linseed.  She liked that and I have put one onto soak to see if it is easier for her in that form.

s

Tomorrow afternoon (in a howling gale) we are driving the ladies to our vet so that Vitamin can have her teeth rasped.  I think she has some sharp bits and it hurts her to eat.

I hope we can help her. I don’t want this to be the end.

Today’s lovely blue sky.

And last night we had a few smatterings of the Northern Lights or “Mirrie Dancers”, as they are known locally.  It was ruddy cold but I took a few snaps.

This is the view from my back door – Mount Doom, Mordor or Sullom Voe, as it is known in our house.

When I got in, freezing cold  (watching the Northern Lights is not a warm sport), I fed Monster as he was howling.  This is a poor starved cat with only the two chins!

I quickly gave in and food out.

Luckly Pepper is my Washing-Up Queen.

And Ted is her Consort.  He gets nothing (Pepper is thorough), so obviously fair is fair and he gets a treat.

I call this “The struggle is real”.

This afternoon, we played flute duets…..

…. with Lambie, who smelled faintly of pee which got more intense as he warmed up!

And this is my life.  You’re welcome.

This is for Daisy who asked me to show her photos of her horses as she is missing them hugely.

So here you are – your horses.  Enjoy.

And then lastly there is Bumble, Bumblebee, Bubble, Bobble, Bin Least, Bin Key or Is She, Is So – according to auto-correct on my phone when I type in Bimble or Iacs.  He is now officially known as Bobble!

Poor Daisy has Covid too.

If she were here, she would be living with Lambie in his spare shed (the one with wifi).  We are here for her.  She knows this.  Will send chocolate!

Hugs, sweetie and love from us all. xxx ❤️

Little Miss Fivla was already waiting for us when we drove over to Leradale this morning.  She wanted her bucket and she wanted it NOW!

Vitamin was waiting for us in her “house”.

She stuck her head out of the front door when I called her!  It was so sweet.

I like to feed Vitamin in here because she can eat her food peacefully without interruptions.

Interruptions are not encouraged.  My job for the summer is to clear the “house” out so it can be safely used as a shelter for those that want it.  We will have a huge bonfire and burn the old roof and wood.  I just need to move the ponies first.  The thought of Storm next to a bonfire is not one I want to think about.

After her food, I brought Vitamin out to clean her mouth.  I thought she looked thinner and a bit gaunt.

I am worried about her.  For the first time, she is looking her age – 28.

So, I’ve organised for the equine dentist to visit (when he is next up, hopefully April) her and Fivla.

And then I drove into town and bought all the fattening horse-feed I could find (barley rings which are high in protein and oil) as well as a large bag of micronised linseed, which should hopefully do the trick.  It is easy to eat and full of oil.  The difficulty is that everyone else doesn’t need the calories.  They could do with losing weight.  I might bring Vitamin and Fivla home.  They will be easier to manage there. Oh, the worry.

Every day, we bring Lilja and Sóley into the stable.  They have work to do.

And sometimes we even brush them!

Brushed and beautiful.  As you know, I am not a keen brushing person.

And then we bring them through to do practising.  They have to load, without a fuss, while the middle section is put across, and then they get a handful of mix in a bucket to say well done!

Obviously there is help.

“No, Lambie, you don’t have to load.  No one is taking you anywhere!”

So that is one of the many things we do, every day.  And no, the girls didn’t go south today.  Force 6 southerly, gusting 9.  Not good travelling weather. But at least we know they load.  Oh yes!