Efstur is now well into his training with Daisy.  He loves being ridden and is beginning to become more balanced while developing the right muscles.  Upon examination, Uwe, his physio, said that he still has some more growing to do in the next year or so.

With this in mind, Daisy (who has studied all things saddle and took a saddle fitting course) rides him in an adjustabe saddle which will hopefully accomodate any change in shape and size. She decided that her original saddle did not fit Efstur’s requirements.  Fair enough.

Anyway, Efstur is going very nicely. He has forgotten about being a goldfish and is settled with a double jointed loose ring bit (yes, she did bit science and fitting course too).

And he has started to show a beautiful natural tölt.

Once we have Klængur’s shoes back on (and it is warmer), we will be going out more too which always involves lots of hill work. This will strengthen Efstur’s topline and core.  I am really looking forward to this summer and our treks.  It will be interesting to see how Efstur develops.

I was playing around this morning with my big camera.

We have all been noticing that Silver looks remarkably like Fivla.  Some days, you could almost mistake him for her.

I think it is the shape of his head and his eyes.  Definitely the eyes.

I can’t do a “Compare and Contrast” because Fivla was not being particularly helpful today.  The grass has appeared so head down and eat!

Anyway, I found this old photo of Fivla…..

And here is one of Silver from today. Sometimes I have to do a double-take.

I was always told Silver would eventually turn white (grey in horsey terms) and every year, his coat has more white in it.

A little known fact, Fivla was completely black when we got her at 6 months old.  This is her a few years on with her owner, Flossie (who will now probably kill me for showing this photo!) Possibly 1999. Fivla was 3. Her owner was 4 (awwww!)

It will be fascinating to see just how white Silver will go over the years. His Dad, Zeal of Houlland, did the same thing, I am told.

I love white (ok, grey) ponies. They are from fairy-tales, obviously.

Today Uwe Abendroth from Central Equine Physiotherapy paid us a visit.  He was here to specifically see Kappi and Efstur.

First up was Kappi.

Now 17 years old, Kappi has recently become stiffer (Daisy says) and so he hugely benefited from Uwe’s work.

Then it was Efstur’s turn who, with no known ailments, has just started his training so it was good to iron out any potential niggles.

Both horses behaved beautifully and enjoyed their treatments.  Daisy learned some essential core exercises for them (and I will use them on Klængur too)  and I spent my time wishing I had booked Uwe to see every animal I own.

But I did ask him to quickly look at BeAnne and I duly brought her in for treatment.

Having explained her health (or lack thereof), and it’s management, Uwe decided to use the pulsed magnetic therapy.

Her Maj loved it and has subsequently spent the afternoon peeing (he said she would), and demanding everyone’s food – all good things.  She seems much brighter too.

Meanwhile, in Harry’s world, yesterday he was ringed (castrated).  A job that must be done in the first seven days and utterly essential.  Although Maggie didn’t mind….

… Harry is now not talking to us!

I don’t blame him.  He will soon come back a-bouncing.  It was a necessity and it had to be done. Sorry Harry.

Your daily bounce – let’s get that out of the way.  Harry Lamblin remains beyond cute.  He now comes when he is called and clambers all over me! Be still my beating heart.  🐑 ❤️ 🐑

Meanwhile in Dreki-training-land, he is now moved on to being ridden by Daisy with a bridle and a saddle.  She does small bits of light steering while I lead.  Dreki is very good and seems totally unphased with anything we throw at him…. so far.

Today, we went out in the Big Outside.  I took Efstur and Daisy led Dreki.  She says he is a like a dog. He likes to sniff everything.  We met a couple of cars and he didn’t blink.

Down our track and onto the single track road, where the hill sheep live.

A family photo.

The star of the show.

We didn’t go as far as we wanted as the hill sheep have their new little lambs.  Lambs are terrible for spotting us, leaving their Mums and following us home so we turned for home while we were still unattached.

We met Mr Scary Plastic-Wrap…. boring.

Sniffed a pile of gravel (for filling in the pot-holes on our track)

And a quick sniff at the parked cars.  We allow Dreki, and Efstur to do this – it gets it out of their system.

Better that than an explosion about the unknown. I told you Dreki is like a dog. Sniff.

This morning, Maggie was having her mid-morning snack and little Himself was busy trying to be brave!

Harry is desperate for a chat.

Maggie just wants biccies.  It’s a fair exchange, I think.  Food for the love of her son!

And then there was this afternoon.  It had got a bit warmer (that North wind is biting) and someone was very bouncy bouncy!

Apparently I have other animals to look after!  Who knew?  I must tear myself away and take an interest in them one day.