First thing this morning, Daisy and I found Missy’s dead body outside the front door.  We didn’t know what to think.  What had happened?  It was horrible.

I fed the rest of the sheep, carefully checking Edna was not pining (she is fine, thankfully) and the rest were just the same as ever – in good health.

We covered the corpse, OH dug a deep hole in our “graveyard” and I talked to the postie (my sheep expert). “Vinster” he called it and I should’ve had Missy vaccinated with a clostridia and pasteurella vaccination.

I feel terrible. I didn’t know this.  I thought she was fine, fit, well and healthy and now she isn’t.  He said it was a quick death (a small blessing) and that it happens to good sheep, out of nowhere.

So little Missy didn’t even have her first Mississippi (birthday) and it’s totally my fault.  My own ignorance.

Rest in peace Little Mississippi. You were a brief joy and a darling in our lives.  You will be desperately missed by us.  You were doing so well training me too (she had her own bowl at breakfast which she insisted upon).

Life is very unfair but death is even worse.  I wish I could turn the clock back.

Many photos from today – when I went to see the Minions in their new field.

It was windy.

Very windy.

There were some great hairstyles out there!

But the field has shelter and the ponies know to stand with their back to it.  They are professionals at this.

I went around and dished out a bit of carrot each.

Yes, just one carrot piece – Newt.  ONE!

Storm incurred the wrath of Vitamin (you can almost hear the teeth).

Of course, he wasn’t sorry.

And then he made it worse, again.

Yup, that’s Storm alright.

I doubt Vitamin will forgive him – and I have no idea what the crime was.  Probably just annoyed her by existing.

So the herd are happy.

And that’s all that matters.

Today, after a ride out on Taktur and Klængur, we brought Efstur in to try out some bits Daisy had received from The Bit Bank.

Efstur’s is a fiddler and chewer with his bit.  The Bit Bank have been very helpful and recommended some bits which they sent out on trial.

Today Efstur was trying out the Frans Sweet Gold Loose Rings by Fager – an explanation, if you’re interested.  Daisy has also been talking to Fager, who have been very educational (thank you – this is a vertical learning curve).

Efstur had already been long-reined in this bit.

Today, Daisy decided to ride him.

To start with Efstur was his usual self but, because the bit is an anatomical straight bar, he couldn’t chew it, which was a huge plus.

He took a while to settle.  Daisy says his brain was divided between his mouth and her instruction.

He did froth up nicely, which is always a good sign.

And then he settled.

It was interesting, too, for me to watch.  When Daisy asked for more speed, Efstur forgot to be distracted.

And then again on the other rein.

Now we are just waiting for the titanium version to try.  The Sweet Gold has an electrical taste – so perhaps without the sucky-sweetie reaction, Efstur might forget to be distracted.

Afterwards, I rode Haakon in a spare Maria Titanium Double Jointed Fixed Ring as Daisy had said she had tried Kappi in it and he loved it!  Haakon did not but he was less grabby with the reins – he really needs his teeth done.  I know that is the answer.

I can always ride Haakon in a head-collar and steering be damned.  However, he was very energetic and happy so that made me smile.

So that’s us – playing with bits so not just Efstur then!

We had a bit of a scare on Sunday evening with the vet on stand-by on Monday. But Her Maj rallied and I hope we are back on the rails again (I am praying hard).

Feeling slightly happier, and weather permitting, I now take BeAnne for a daily little potter up into the hill.

If she is enthusiastic, we go up to the top. It’s not far.

And if not, we swiftly turn around and go home…..

…. never mentioning a dog-walk again.

When BeAnne enjoys her walk, she really enjoys it.

(ignore the banshee yell!) This is all I want for BeAnne – for her to be happy and smiley.

And this is typical Patterdale terrier behaviour – to be ignored totally and then walk off in the other direction!

The last bit of colour in the hill.

We are always watched.

And this fat lump ain’t movin’!

My intrepid wee bear.

This morning, first thing, my troops gathered.  Armed with headcollars, ropes and a bag of carrots, we left our cars and marched up to the hill park where the Minions (plus Lilja and Sóley, or token Minions as they have now become) have been living this past month.  It is not the nicest of fields, with little shelter but it did the job fine and the herd look better for it (though I did feel bad leaving them there in the last storm).

Anywho, no grudges held, and at least they all came cantering enthusiastically to me when I called.

Everyone knew who was leading who – we had paired them all carefully – and this time it worked much better.

I was at the front with Storm and Waffle, who insisted on jogging racehorse like (and irritatingly) all the way.

And after a pretty uneventful walk to their new field, we released the Minions back “into their habitat”.

Some had lead nicer than others *** cough Lilja has forgotten everything and now needs a refresher course on manners ***.

But there were smiley faces all round.

Happy little ponies.

Ok, it’s not the biggest of fields but it will do for a few weeks and then they will be on the move again!

Anyway, the troops were brilliant and without them I would still be walking up and down the road leading ponies!  A huge thank you from me.