Apparently the equine dentist is not likely to come up to Shetland in the near future so we arranged for the vet to come to look at Efstur because we wanted to have the all-clear on his teeth.

Although Efstur started his training in a bitless bridle indoors, Daisy would prefer to ride him with a bit as he has absolutely no brakes outside.  I can see her point entirely.  Brakes are always useful, possibly essential!

So Morag, the vet, visited and gave the young man a quick once-over before she started.

This was a first for Efstur and Mr Dental-Equine-Speculum was gently introduced and accepted with no argument or discussion.

Morag had a good feel inside Efstur’s mouth.

Daisy had a good feel inside too.

The gag came off and his alignment looked at.

The diagnosis was that there were no wolf teeth lurking or anything untoward. So all is good in Efstur’s mouth.

Carroty rewards and lots of “what a good boy”.  He was – we were proud of him.

Efstur thought it was great to be the centre of attention.  So now we have to work out what bit will suit him best because we know nothing is wrong and he needs to get going again with his training.

To the Bit Bank and don’t spare the horses!

Daisy and I are keeping busy, even we didn’t feel much like riding. Today was windy and blustery and neither of us are particularly keen.

So, to make up for our lack of ridingness, Daisy said we (well, mostly she) would trim Hetja and Brá’s hooves.

Obviously Hetja oversaw proceedings.

While I was on rope duty and moral support with occasional rasping.  My back is not fully recovered but I could hang onto a rope.

First up was Brá because she is can be the most difficult of the pair.

Today she was a total star.  Maybe the wind has changed or something but Brá these days is easy and nice to work with.  She has mellowed.

Hetja was less helpful and bit crashy.  Words were had and toes were trodden on.

Anywho, the view was nice.

I took this photo for my mother so she could see her car living a completely different life to the one it was used to. Poor car. Rather a shock to its system.

So, job done and it needed doing.

Despite raining all day and being thoroughly dreich, I decided to go and check the Minions taking the horse-van for a run.  The chaps were standing in the far corner of the field over the burn (stream).

But I showed them my pocketful of carrots and they duly stirred.

Lilja was their leader.

And the others followed in dribs and drabs.

Well, everyone except for Waffle, so I threw his carrot over to him.

Once checked, noseys duly kissed, more carrots dished out, pocketses emptied, pocketses confirmed to be empty, I left them all to it and walked back down the hill.

Of course I was followed – Newt and Storm having a quick game en route.

Albie was very determined to come home with me.  He would sit in the van, if he could.

I said goodbye at the gate feeling, as usual, incredibly guilty that they had a fine field, full of hill grass, fresh water and friends.  How they suffer.

And my van?  Well, what I thought had been clever off-road parking turned out to be one wheel now wedged in the ditch and I was totally stuck.

Dammit!  Luckily the postie was passing and, as he was going next door to the mill, he told them of my plight and they brought a tractor and rope around to tow me out.  Huge thanks to Jamiesons Mill.  On a useful note, I was shown the van’s towing point and the location of the tool box.  I never knew I had one.

Next home and I spent my afternoon making a sheeple to feel better.

However, I am not sure that I do feel better. I feel rather embarrassed about the van.  Hey ho. Live and learn. I’m not having much luck with vehicles these days.

As if life couldn’t get any worse, I woke up with a stinking migraine, and my back remained intolerable so I spent the morning in bed tring to sleep off the migraine.

After that I decided today was a day of rest and I did some packing up of acorns, putting stuff on Fleabay and mooching about smelling of Kwan Loong oil.  It does help a lot. I thoroughly recommend for all things hurty.

A friend kindly checked the Minions and counted noseys to be kissed.  That was a huge weight off for me as I didn’t feel I could drive safely today let alone walk up to their field.

While I faffed around on Ebay, BeAnne sat next to me snoring and farting to herself while Monster coveted her bed more than anything.

BeAnne refused to move.  The Battle of the Beds is never over.

BeAnne went to the vet this morning.  A sudden decision made by myself as I have been sucking my teeth these last few days when I watch her.  She seems quieter and not very with-it.  Something is not right to add to all the other things that are wrong with her.

The vet did a thorough examination and said she could hear fluid on Her Maj’s lungs.  So she has been started on a course of diuretics to see if that makes a difference.  Please cross everything.  You know the drill by now.

I realise we are on borrowed time but I want every second.

Meanwhile, I my back has gone. I am not sure what really but It hurts all the time and I am utterly miserable.  My Painpod is on full revs and boost plus a hot water bottle wedged in. Gah!  I don’t need this.

Here are the last of the photos from yesterday. I can’t even pick up my camera.

Sorry for the whinge. I hate myself when I whinge.

Giving up, now. I am feeling very sorry for myself.