Haakon left his friends first thing this morning to wait patiently for me in an easy-access little paddock.  We were going on an adventure.

The horse-van was packed and Haakon loaded easily (which makes a change from the horse that deliberately kicked out every light on every trailer for the last twenty years while objecting to being loaded).

We drove off – just me and my horse and went to Sandness.

I could immediately see that Haakon knew exactly where he was.

This was his old stomping ground.  Even though he hasn’t been here for many years (possibly ten), Haakon knew.  He most definitely knew.  This was the place where he lived 20 plus years ago, and where I first backed and trained him.

We tacked up, Hoof boots all on, mounted and set off.

My friend, who lives here, was riding her horse too and we were going out for a sedate plod around the village.

I didn’t need the reins. Haakon remembered everything.  This was how I trained him all those years ago.

We enjoyed the scenery.  It was very familiar to us.

What a lovely ride. Haakon refused to be anywhere but in the front and he enjoyed every minute of it, as did I.

Then he loaded like a dream – it has only taken 26 years to achieve this nirvana.

And back home, with an apple for a treat and some TurmerAid in case he was stiff later (he had his routine dose for breakfast). This was a very special morning with my best boy and yes I do love Klængur but Haakon is, well, just Haakon really and I never thought we would have this again.

Daisy announced this morning she would help me trim some feet.  So, never one to run away from a great offer, we went to see the Minions.

First up was Waffle….

I have been sucking my teeth about his feet for a while. My regular rasping was not enough.  It was becoming obvious.

Obviously there was help. There always is.

Much help.

Possibly a bit too much help.

Meanwhile some (and that would be Storm) were having a jolly old time with the Activity Centre we had brought with us – namely the Foot Equipment Bag. It was doomed from the minute everyone first saw it.

Everyone wanted a shot.

What is it with a canvas bag?

The contents therein *** sigh *** were strewn. I don’t bother saying No anymore. There really is no point.  No one listens.  The lure of the bag is too much for some.

Next up for hoof care was Tiddles while Newt made an unhelpful appearance. He may be small but that nose gets everywhere.  We had words.

And meanwhile, the bag continued to be wrecked (I had stupidly hung it on the gate in the hope they would leave it alone – will I never learn?)

Anywho, two down, six to go…….  Daisy is on clippers with hoof-knife and I am on rasp.  We make a good team which is good as we can’t afford the farrier.

Yesterday we brought Newt and Tiddles back to Thordale. Their services were no longer required.  They spent last night in a small paddock in case they were needed again and by this morning, I could see they just wanted to go back home to their friends.

We loaded them up in the horsevan and took them home.

The two boys had enjoyed their visit away and did exactly as was promised – to be well-behaved (** cough – mostly – cough ***) companions and I was proud of them for that.

The others were pleased (once they had spotted them) to see their friends again. I think they had missed them.  While they were away, it felt like someone(s) were missing.

The herd felt incomplete.

There was lots of sniffing, the odd squeal and asking where they had been this past week.

And then I told the whole lot to go off and get a job so to horse, they gallumphed away.  Everyone back where they should be.

Floss remarked as they cantered off that they looked like a budget version of the Lloyds Bank commercial.  I replied “more Poundland really!”

(Lloyds Bank commercial link – if you want to see what I mean)

Go for a ride They Said.  It will be fun, They Said.

So I caught my horse, Haakon (aged 26 yo), tacked up and off we went.

Daisy came along too riding Iacs (aged 25 yo).  We were all in our Cavalla Hoof Boots – fronts and backs.

This is my best view in the whole world.  I told the old men about this being a slow ride as everyone is unfit, old and realistically in retirement now.

Daisy and Iacs ignored my words of wisdom.  They cantered off.

Haakon was slightly more sedate in his approach to life and happily piggy-paced along.  I don’t ask for tölt anymore unless he offers it.

There was definitely cantering and more trotting/tölting than the calm walking I had requested.  I blame the hoofboots.  The old men love them.  Iacs even considered tölting which could possibly be classed as a miracle as he has never done that in all his 25 years!

On the final stretch, Iacs galloped home with Haakon keeping up in flying pace alongside.  Daisy and I were mere passengers.

I don’t know I bothered saying this would be a slow and calm ride.

(Enjoy Iacs’ buttercup. It travelled with him!)

Maybe the next ride will be quieter.  Yer, right.

The Minions were in the furthest field away today.  Vitamin was standing on a bank of the burn (stream) enjoying the sun on her back even though it was a brisk northerly wind. She was surveying her little kingdom.  Vitamin is still boss mare.

Floss and I talked to everyone, and were nibbled by some!

There is always a nibbler.

And one who pulls a silly face for the camera.

And that, of course, would be Storm – he is multi-tasking.

Fivla was looking *** cough *** robust!

Albie, as ever, was close by.

Sóley is nearly as big as Lilja now.  Shocking. This time last year she was a little foaly.

They are the best of friends.  Sóley has grown up in her head, as well as physically, these past few months.  Lilja is a good influence.

Waffle is busy maintaining his summer beach body.  It is 24/7 all this eating.

And dearest Silver didn’t look at all like Silver. An odd expression for him.

It was a lovely morning, if cold (that ruddy north wind) and raining now – too dreary.  But the grass will grow and they will all get fatter and fatter and fatter…….