Today was Ted’s day.  He was at the Greasy Muppet stage of his ever-growing coat. Being half Yorkshire Terrier and half Miniature Schnauzer, we think, his fur is not the best.  I think he got a lot of the Yorkie genes.  His fur is mostly cheap nylon.

Not great.  In fact, disgusting as Ted also had a recent conversation with a polecat in the wall two night’s before so there may have been that revolting eye-watering musky odour involved too, although we did give him (and Pepper who was worse) a late-night bath.  They were both beyond gross.

Anyway, I was glad Ted had an appointment with Sharon at the Foxy Dog, Scalloway and I was beginning to wish I had brought Pepper too but she didn’t have an appointment.

And now Ted looks like a film-star.

Albeit Dobby the House Elf!

But at least he smells beautiful.

It was nice to see the winter sun make a brief appearance.

Breakfast and everyone went out for their eating time on the ever-expanding track.  I am trying to be strict, but you know me, I struggle with this.

I decided to extend the track a bit more, around the corner to get away from a rather boggy end of the field to get them out of the mud. The ponies knew what I was doing and came to watch.  They didn’t quite dare to touch the fence as I was taking the posts out to use on my extension.  I did wonder if they would as they must’ve known it was switched off.

I created my new fence while they looked on and had given them a nice amount to eat down.  The grass is pretty rough but it is there if they look.

To be fair, they were very good about waiting, which surprised me.

And then I opened up the new bit for them and whoosh, the ponies were in eating it down!  That should keep them quiet for a bit now.

It’s been a grey old day but the wind has died down and everything is a bit easier especially when I’m not fighting the elephants, sorry, elements.

The “elephants” happily ate their breakfast buckets while I stood guard in case anyone finished first and went off marauding.  Kolka and Iacs have that badge.  They have no morals and Haakon hates being hassled.

I had Pepper faithfully by my side too.

Luckily everyone pretty much finished at the same time so there was no marauding.

A quick cup of coffee with Monster while I wrapped a few Christmas presents (I am trying to do a few every day so it is not a huge mountain left to do on the day before)…..

… and then back out to poo-pick.  Silver gets The World’s Filthiest Pony Award.  He is meant to be white, though horsey people always call it “grey” and I can sort of see why now.

Vitamin enjoys being outside but equally likes her bed-time which can get earlier and earlier if she catches my eye.

Tiddles is on painkillers and doing so much better.  He also goes in at night and he is happier in himself. Luckily, he likes his drugs (which I syringe in), and he would put on his own headcollar if he could.

Everyone is revoltingly dirty but I don’t care.  I think it is better to be outside during the day-time than being stuck indoors all the time.  The ponies get a bit more pasture every day. I just move the posts back a few feet and that seems to be enough.  They are also respecting that zappy two-strand electric fence too!

I sort of knew by this morning that today was going to have a Monster involvement.

As it is Saturday, it is flute duet day – well, flute duet afternoon and Mandy and I trudged over to my shed to play.  It didn’t take long before we heard a yowl.

While we set up our music stands, and put together our flutes, Monster made himself at home.

And he made himself known.  You know, just in case we weren’t aware of the large white cat shouting his head off in a very small room.

Mandy said he was wet so I handed her tea towel to dry him with (note-to-self, I must put it in the wash and not re-use it for anything else).

More shouting – something about it was raining outside and he is now our official Weather Cat.

Thank you, Monster.

He even chose the music. Giuseppe Saverio Raffaele Mercadante who we duly tortured.

Bored of the music, Monster tried to eat the plant.  I think the spikes dissuaded him.

Pepper, of course, was enchanting and listened politely.

Monster, less so.

Monster went out and then came in again, soaking wet…. again.  Thank you, to Mandy who continued with her job of drying my cat.

After a while, Mandy casually draped the tea-towel on him and Monster wore it around my little shed for a bit before he went out again.   This time for good, thankfully.

I met Monster a few hours later annoying OH and asking for his tea!

This morning found Pepper and I waiting for the farrier.

Everyone was in their stalls and the Icelandics were in the small paddock, which needs eating down, behind the house.

We were all ready and waiting.  Pepper definitely knew who was coming.  The anticipation was enormous.

Her bestie friend who she spent all morning trying to get his attention, no matter what.

Stephen said he did not expect Pepper to do this so I remained silent knowing full well this was just the sort of thing she would do and he just encourages her.

While Stephen diligently worked on the ponies, I didn’t take any responsibility for my dog.

They are just as bad as each other.

It was good to see Stephen.  I needed advice as well as the ponies’ feet trimmed.  Generally the laminitis is over and everyone is going along pretty well.  Tiddles and Waffle were not great but we’re getting there.

And then everyone out on the track and we turned our attention to the big ones and it was only Iacs who had his feet trimmed.

After, I put the big ones back in their field – I led Iacs while Haakon and Kolka left to see the Minions on the track. Haakon got half way and got bored of that idea so I caught him and put him back with Iacs leaving Kolka to fulfill her dream of spending time with the Minions.  When I came outside after a quick lunch, I found Kolka standing by herself nex to her own field gate.  She had obviously had enough of the Minions and wanted back with the sensible adults.