Storm ……

Well, he’s either very brave or very stupid.

If I am honest, I would say he is stupid.

Today was Farrier Day so we were in a rush, trying to get our work completed as efficiently and quickly as possible

Floss and I were feeding those who get fed – Fivla, Vitamin, Lilja and Sóley.  I was in charge of Vitamin and Fivla.

As it was blowing a hooley, we chose sheltered spots for their buckets.   Vitamin insisted on standing with her back legs up a steep hill. She wouldn’t move.

But Fivla and Vitamin are experts when it comes to buckets.  They don’t come up for air until their bucket is empty and clean.

And all I will say is God help anyone who gets in their way or tries to steal their bucket!  You can expect both barrels from the ladies.

Storm would not be told.  I was concerned that Vitamin would pile in and sort him out but luckily she just kept eating.  She does not take kindly to this kind of behaviour.  I can’t say I  blame her.

Storm was enough to the try the patience of a Saint.   Today Vitamin was that Saint.

And he was an unrepentant sinner.

Not even slightly sorry.

You can tell these two are related! They think the same thoughts.

Tiddles was a sweetheart so I gave him a secret carrot and told him to tell no one.  He munched silently.

Meanwhile Floss was hard at work keeping the peace with the big ones. Their buckets were blowing around because they have a more airy-fairy approach to food.  I think Silver was also being unhelpful too.

Out of everyone, only Albie and Waffle were today’s paragons of virtue.

We are all recovering now from a busy day.

Well, you know the saying “Slow and Steady wins the race” – that is exactly how Daisy and Efstur are working together.

Lots of long reins and stretching under saddle.

Ears pricked, no stress and happy thoughts….

Efstur offers an outline without being nagged.  He is such a sweetie.

And off they go on the other rein.

Lots of “what a good lad” – they make a lovely couple! ❤️

In the school, there is less tölt but Daisy is not concerned – it is very evident outside and Efstur is happy and relaxed indoors.  He is listening and learning.

Anywho, Efstur continues to amaze, so all is good.  It is early days and there is plenty of potential from the both of them.  Watching them together is a total joy.

One more lot of feet today. Albie’s turn.

A little star, of course.

It was windy so some good hair too.

Afterwards, I made a decision – to take the herd into the hill park where there is loads of uneaten grass. I kept Albie in his headcollar and, with me, he valiantly led the way (with Storm annoying him at every step – we had words!)

Ok, it is not green grass like Summer, but grass none the less and it will do.

And then the herd suddenly remembered there was this whole other field that they had totally forgotten and off they went, very enthusiastically.

“Fly My Pretties, Fly!”

Vitamin was a bit of a tail-end Charlie.  She wanted to go back but the others went onwards.

She came up for a bit of a chat so I told her to get going or she would lose them all.

And off she went to join them.

We shut the gate behind them. They can stay there for a bit and stop loitering with intent.

Guess who was today’s lucky contestant for hoof trimming?

A clue – he is a lovely kisser.

And he has a beautiful blue eye too.

Tiddles was such a good boy.  A delight. As you can see from the hairstyle, it was a bit blowy, but as Daisy and I agreed, at least we weren’t being rained on – so that was a bonus!

We always set ourselves the task of two ponios each time.  We have a list and next up was Little Himself.

There was some back leg action (cow-kicking) so I told Newt that I had been asked if I knew of “a young Shetland pony that is very tame for a little girl.…… “

I was minded of this card that a friend sent me a few year’s back. I keep it in my shed.  Remind me to show it to Newt!

(now goes off to look for pink net and some elastic…..)

Vitamin waits patiently at the gate for us.

The two Icelandic lasses, (from L-R) Sóley and Lilja, wait in their spot together too.

As does Fivla.  You can almost hear them willing us to be faster with the buckets!

The Minions all know it is not worth their while – and they get carrots (today was ginger biccies as we were running out of carrots plus some horse treats) if they can wait nicely.  And if they wait nastily, they still get the carrots, biccies and treats because it would be mean to give them nothing.

It was all very civilised, which is always nice and makes a change.