Yesterday , I received a message saying that the most likely explanation for the appearance of the ponies’ feet  was rotten hoof frog and not burning. However, after doing some research online about thrush, Daisy and I agreed that we had not smelled the typical necrotic, rotten smell of sulphur or seen any thick black discharge on the frog. Just the smell of hot-shoeing, which we know very well and the complete disappearance of soft frog tissue. All the ponies have had regular trims from us or Stephen Gardiner (a registered farrier) and have been in a dry field for over a month.

So I worried all night that a) I was the worst owner ever, and b) I had panicked, added 2 + 2, getting 5, whilst jumping to the wrong conclusions – it has been known. I can be a drama llama and a wrong one at that.

This morning, first thing, I made a vet appointment. Daisy and I drove Fivla and Tiddles (the ones worst affected – Fivla with now trimmed hooves and Tiddles with untrimmed) and drove them to the surgery in Scalloway (about an hour away).

The others were furious at being left behind.

We unloaded Tiddles and Fivla in the surgery car-park (sorry no photos as I thought I had forgotten my phone) and the vet came out.  He was a locum, who comes up to Shetland regularly, and said he had seen many animals struck by lightning and, if it had been lightning, they would be dead.  He then, before he examined all their hooves, said it was, in most likelihood, to be foot-rot of some description, very probably thrush.

The vet then picked up each hoof, dug about and thoroughly examinined.  Afterwards, he stood up and said “You know, I think you are right!  I can see absolutely no evidence of any rot of any kind and yes, it does look burnt”. We explained our set up – ie the field, the horses behaviour and like us, he was baffled but wanted to examine the other ponies, more out of interest than treatment.  He also told us to continue exactly what we were doing and that their feet would heal in time.

Daisy and I felt vindicated and sort of relieved.

When we got home, the herd were pleased to see us and, after feeding painkillers and spraying their feet, we decided to put everyone back in their old field as the grass had grown up again.  They all galloped off happily.

Then Daisy and I walked about looking for scorch marks, anything really.  There are two electric poles in the field and one electric box just outwith, by the road.  We could see nothing obvious.

I was walking back to the gate, when I saw some unusual small black rocks lying on the grass.

They looked burnt.

I picked up a couple and showed them to Daisy who easily broke them in half.  They are made of the pink granite.

So, more evidence and we will see what the vet says tomorrow afternoon.  Please God let everyone behave with no giggling or hassling.

I’m not sure really how to write this, to be perfectly honest.  It is not easy.

Today when Daisy and I went over to the Minion field to trim some hooves, we discovered that the ponies had burned hooves.

We started by catching Fivla, who was first on our list of feet-to-do, and when Daisy lifted her front hoof and picked it out to trim, she found the sole was black and charred.  She showed me and we sniffed. There was a terrible smell of burnt hoof.  The frog was burned right back too.  We picked up each hoof to find they were all in the same state.

Tiddles’ hoof – badly burnt frog and sides

Vitamin’s foot – which is one of the better ones (just before her trim)

Horrified, we wondered if someone had walked Fivla over hot coals, ie some had been dumped in the field but as we looked at all the hooves, it became very evident that they were all burned to some degree.  Fivla and Tiddles were the worst.  Their soles were totally burnt and looked very bad, but there were no open wounds or blood.

Fivla’s hoof – after trim – badly burnt frog

It was then we remembered there had been a thunder and lightning storm on Friday morning in the area.  We searched the field for evidence of a direct strike but could find nothing.  The odd thing was that all the ponies were behaving totally normally.  No one was agitated or worried – I can tell if a stranger has been in their field based on their behaviour afterwards.  Everyone was the same as they ever were.  Nothing was different, apart from the state of their feet.

Daisy and I finished up (Fivla, Vitamin and Storm were trimmed) and went home to do some investigation and I made a phone call to our on-duty vet.

The vet recommended we give Fivla and Tiddles regular pain relief (daily Danilon) and we agreed that I should spray the soles of their feet with a tetracycline spray too.  We have to monitor the situation carefully.  Any hint of infection and I would let the vet know.  We also decided the best place for the ponies to be was in their field with each other.  The grass will cushion their soles and being with their friends will keep them active which will in turn promote blood circulation for frog regrowth and health.

So, Floss and I returned to the field, duly dished out the analgesia and sprayed the antibiotic spray.  Floss agreed that she could see no behavioural difference in any of the ponies either. So that is good – as far as we can see, they have not suffered and no one is in actual pain.  Fivla was trotting when I was leading her to the food!

I have just ordered a high quality food supplement that will promote frog growth and health (Farriers Formula) and will give it to all of them daily until their hooves are back to normal.

We are all very shocked (perhaps that’s the wrong word in hindsight).

I have done a little internet research on this topic – we can’t be the only folk to have this happen.  I think the ponies had a “step lightning” event and have been very lucky.  The terrain may have helped the ponies as they were standing on wet soil.

From: – https://www.dw.com/en/lightning-risk-much-higher-for-animals/a-19511426 – where hundreds of reindeer were killed in one lightning storm in Norway……

“If you have soil where plants are growing, and that has had some rain, for example, then the soil’s very humid and the electrical conductivity is very high. On the other hand, the worst case is rocky ground. In [Norway’s Hardangervidda plateau], which is filled with rocks and hills, then I assume there’s really rocky ground with very, very low conductivity. So that explains why step voltage is very high.” 

It was raining outside or, as we say, “good weather for ducks” and Daisy wanted to ride. Luckily we have an indoor school.

So I watched and she did all the work.

First up was Taktur.

He is just so handsome *** swoon ***.

It was good to see how they were getting on and my job was to stand in the middle and take photos.

She schooled all the gaits on both reins.

They worked hard.

…. And long reins, stretch and rest.

And then it was Kappi’s turn.

Again, it was good to watch.

Afterwards, Daisy took off his bridle…..

… looked for a treat….

…. fed the treat…..

…. and Kappi followed Daisy to have his headcollar put on!

I really enjoyed watching them all work.  Most interesting.

I spent this afternoon changing my she-shed around. I have not been happy since I moved my work-table to the wall so the plants could have access to more light.  It felt all wrong.

Anyway, I was given this lovely make-your-own sheep garland which involved a certain amount of effort on my part, so I quickly delegated and asked the artistic one in the family (that would be Daisy) to create me something special.

And she did.  She made the Boyzen and Girlzenberries – twice!

Lambie, ‘Bert and ‘Ster…..

Edna, Madge and Missy.

There is even a Lambie with his yearly blue sprayed horns!

As well as a “normal” Lambie (I use the term “normal” in it’s loosest sense!)

As well as moving the tables around, I moved BeAnne’s bed and she seemed much happier.

I have hung up air plants in special glass holders that so far haven’t fallen on my head though I do bash into them every time I stand up!

I adore my shed now.  I have all my favourite things around me and everything is back where it should be.  I can see many happy hours ahead creating my creations.

This morning was endless rain.  I went to fill up the van with diesel. Boring but a necessity. We need the van to always be ready for any pony emergency.

This afternoon was spent packing veg for Transition Turriefield – an independent social enterprise scheme growing fruit and vegetables for the Shetland community.  Being this time of year, there was lots of fantastic veg and we kept going until it was done. As you can see, the fractal geometry of the beautiful romanesco was hypnotic.

A certain small person was very pleased to see us upon our return.  Her Maj, on her diet of antibiotics, heart pills, laxatives, liver supplements and steroids, is doing rather well. The appetite has improved – she unrepentantly scrounges and steals everything – and subsequently has now been re-classified as a “wee fatty” by the family.  I find it hard to say “no” having spent months watching her refuse to eat anything while fading away before my eyes.  The vet says I have to toughen up.  Wee Fatty now tips the scales at over 10kg.  I am saying nuffink and just thank the Gods we have been given this extra time (and possibly calories).  Now, I see this photo, I realise BeAnne is a little square!

Little Missy and her family often hang around the front door.  Ever optimistic.

Missy is still nursing (see the milk on her lips) but will soon be weaned. Edna is a fairly strong mother and has opinions as to when her little (ok, large) daughter can feed.  You see Edna is one tough Muvva.  I could take lessons from her.

I took this photo when I stood at the top of the hill (having been ragworting) a field that we used to rent out.  Yes, we live in the middle of nowhere.  It is perfect.

The flowers are still glorious though Autumn is on its way.

A glorious swathe of colour.

Upon reflecton of this post, I realise I need to be more like Edna and toughen up vis-a-vis BeAnne’s waistline!