Every morning, without fail, since they have lived here (which is nearly 10 months!) Dahlia and Gussie turn up at their field gate for breakfast.

Today they weren’t there and so of course I started worrying.

Finishing up with everyone else, I set off across their field, which they share with the oldies, to look for them while clutching their breakfast in two bowls.  In my head, I was imagining Gussie with one of his horns stuck in the wire fence, or Dahlia was dead and Gussie would refuse to leave her.

Nope, they were actually quite close by and had forgotten it was breakfast time.  They seemed pleased to see me and came running up. I put their bowls down for them to eat.

Luckily, the others didn’t want to join in with this which would’ve made life tricky.

These two don’t hang about with food (not like Lambie who dithers for hours, picking out the bits he likes best).  Breakfast is a big deal for them, always has been, so I have no idea why they didn’t come up and ask.  Perhaps they would’ve turned up later.

In fact, they would’ve been pleased if I had brought more.

But I hadn’t so they will have to appear at the gate tomorrow morning.

In a Force 10 with horizontal rain, the equine vet and vet nurse from Ardene House Vets came to us for our annual visit.

I had scheduled her to see the five old horses/ponies because I want to know that they are ok in their ever-increasing years.  I also added Silver too as he has an odd growth just under his ear.

I got them all inside and separated them into little ones and big ones. It seemed easiest.

First up was Fivla.  She was given a clean bill of health despite her EMS but I was told her eye-sight was not perfect due to her age.  In the depths of my mind I have lately been wondering about that.

Then Vitamoobag – possible sinuses causing the not-eating episodes.

And lastly, of the little ones, Silver.  His growth was diagnosed as very likely a sarcoid, which is not great.  There is lots to think about there.

Then were the Icelandics.  Kolka was deemed 100%, as was Haakon.

And lastly it was Iacs’ turn.  He was sedated and inspected as he has penile squamous cell carcinoma.  The best news – there were no new growths – a huge relief.  He will remain on his daily million-pound medication as it is obviously doing it’s job.

The lump under his neck has become much bigger and harder.  I worry that it will soon infringe upon his eating/breathing so they scanned it to see what was actually going on.  It was full of fluid.

We decided to drain the cyst and about 300ml came out from the needle which went into a variety of pots, test-tubes and syringes to be sent off.  Most odd. We will know more when the labs come back.

Anyway, everyone was very good and I am so relieved they have all been seen.  I was told they all looked very good for the age.

We are in the middle of a three day gale and I stupidly let Mrs Duckie out of her shed thinking she was back on her feet.  She immediately flew up onto the container and has been living there ever since.

We are in the middles of this gale so, with some skilful manouevering this morning when there was a lull in the wind, I managed to put some food up to Mrs D which she was very appreciative of.  Water was a different task.  I tried three times but failed (too heavy) and managed to soak myself in the process.  I am hoping there is some rain water already up there.

Mrs D refuses to come down from her new spot and we are now on Day 2 of the gale but she seems to be ok.  With the wind getting up even more tomorrow (F10), I won’t be able to give her food until it calms down later.  I guess if she wants she can always fly down to join the others and then I can feed her.  We will see.  I feel bad for her but this was her choice, not mine.

So we are battening down the hatches in “flaming June” for a good Shetland blast along with  some rain.

I am staying strong on the Shetland pony front as I remind myself of the 10-20kg they have all put on in weight this month.  So nope, nothing, nada for food.  Track + the daily handful = healthy ponies.

After the morning chores plus a dog-walk, I gathered up my troop, aka Pepper, and we left for town in the horse-van.

I will admit that I rather regretted not bringing Pepper’s cushions with us as she squeaked the whole way that she couldn’t see out properly.  I told her to look to the side and she complained about the lack of her cushions. FFS!  Princess and the Pea.

We headed straight to Jamieson’s Knitwear to observe the field.

I topped it up and was pleased with the new banner thingy that was smartly attached.

And then Pepper and I walked up and down the street to see if we needed anything else.  Apparently we didn’t but it was all good training for Herself.  She met other dogs and walked away without aggro.

There was a big boat in – the Le Laperouse – with 184 passengers.  It looked very nice.  My sort of boat but then I remember the sea and the waves and realise I will never go on a cruise – I am very seasick.

Next, I went to the feed merchants to buy a round bale of hay to keep for the next emergency.  It will come. It always does and it’s always good to be prepared.

Pepper stayed in the van, much to her disgust.  I mean she has to go everywhere with me and I mean everywhere!

I could feel her willing me to let her out but this was no place for her to run around.

And then home and I felt a little tired so I had a rest with everyone “helping” me rest.  This help was non-optional.

Here is a health update on all my sickies.

No 1. – Silver

Well, possibly he’s fine and avoiding me.  We await the equine vet for more info.  I will keep you posted.

No 2. – Mrs Duckie

She is eating, drinking and happily making her water filthy.  She is also beginning to walk again so I am tentatively hopeful for her.  She is checked every ruddy minute of the day and I noticed she is starting to use her legs to get away from me and my ministrations (ungrateful ****).

(but I am secretly pleased about this progress).

No 3. – ‘Bert

(I am using bebé photos because it was shitting down with rain and I have nothing recent).

Anyway, ‘Bert is walking again, perfectly normally so phew. And seriously that he was such a drama queen about everything?  He asked me to shoot him while he was limping around.  It’s lucky I didn’t.

No 4. – ‘Ster

Again here are some bebé photos.  He is doing ok.  Same old, same old so I am beginning to stop worrying about him.  He eats, he drinks and when he sees more food, he runs!

My shearer said he will come next week, weather permitting, to shear everyone so that will be good as an expert opinion is always welcome these days.

Not gonna lie, I am relieved about Mrs Duckie. These days, it is the little things.