I knew something was up with ‘Bert the minute he started coming up to talk to me.  He is not that kind of chap.  Yes, he is friendly enough but not really one to seek out my company, unlike others.

And I noticed, while I was stroking him, that one of his horns was about to go into the side of his head.  Such a crappy design for nature, if you ask me, and I knew I had to take immediate action.

So first I dosed ‘Bert up with TurmerAid – I think it is very good for calming and, striking while the iron was hot, so to speak, I lured the three sheep into the stable. ‘Bert was easily caught (a trusting boy) and, with the help of Flossie keeping him still, I managed to lop off an inch of potentially life-threatening horn with hoof-clippers. Poor ‘Bert – he bled for a while and I kept them all around (no gallivanting in the hill for a few days) so I could keep an eye.

‘Ster is lucky. His horns grow the right way.  He has never had any problems with them and he looks glorious.

Lambie’s horns just grow to a maximum of 1″ (of which he is very proud) and then he has an argument with a chair or a plant and then they fall off and then I spray him with turquoise spray.  It is an annual event.

However, I was slightly worried about ‘Bert afterwards – there was blood and I was praying I hadn’t nicked him but I was pretty sure it was just the remains of his horn. Horns always bleed copiously.

Anyway today, ‘Bert is fine and much happier.  Hopefully we won’t have to do that again for a while.

Meanwhile, Lambie…… well, I’ll just leave this here!

In the light of yesterday’s shenanigans, Flossie and I went over to Leradale armed to the teeth with as much rope as we could carry.

I wanted the sort of rope you could tie the QE2 up but in the end opted for variety including some rather tough thinner stuff.

Anyway, with Floss on one side of the fence/gate and me on the other, we “wove” our Shetland-pony-proof fence.

Obviously we were watched and thoroughly disapproved of but, no, I am adamant, we are not going to have a repeat performance of yesterday.

Note the orange rope – that’s known as “belt and braces” fencing because, although there is a perfectly good metal post that holds the two hurdles together, it could, by the right little pony (** cough ** Albie ** cough **), be taken out.  Not anymore it won’t.

We had two gates to “fix” and by golly they are going nowhere now. In fact when it comes to moving this lot to fresher pastures, I will probably have to bring a big knife to cut the gates open!

Six small Minions were very unimpressed.

Good!

So, Floss and I were driving over to Leradale. The access track goes around part of the Icelandic horse ladies’ field and I notice a field full of horses!  There are only supposed to be three.

After more looking, we summised that the Minions had managed to get into the Icelandic horses’ field and more, extraordinarily, they were all still alive!  Hetja has a pathological hatred of Shetland ponies in her field.

The Icelandic ladies instantly rushed up to tell me about the small hairy invaders and so I diverted them by quickly putting out their feed. Meanwhile Floss led the Minions out of the field by waving her bag of carrots and walking quickly back to their field.  They followed.

Interestingly enough, apart from 6 minions, Vitamin and Fivla (the old Shetland pony ladies) did not follow.  They know better than to incur the wrath of Hetja.

Leaving the big ones with their food, I pushed the stragglers (Waffle and Albie) back through the very obvious escape route.

We shut it and retied the fence, vowing to return tomorrow with some industrial rope.

And then Floss and I sat on a dry-ish rock each and proceeded to read The Riot Act.

Of course the Minions listened and took it all in.

We thought they probably hadn’t been in the wrong field for very long as they looked unscathed (Hetja’s teeth) and not particularly sweaty (being chased by Hetja – she does not give up).

I am glad Vitamin and Fivla had the sense to stay out.  They are old ladies and would’ve hated all the hassle.

I hope The Riot Act was duly understood and taken on board.

I have a horrible feeling I know who the perpetrator was……

Anyway, no one seems the worst for this unexpected introduction.

I also think a certain Sóley-the-Foalie would’ve loved some new toys to play with but Mummy said no!

I’m not really sure what is going on with Brá.  I have noticed, recently, that she has lost her fur and there maybe some insect bites.  She is not looking her best really.

Treatment: A topical ectoparasiticide containing deltamethrin 1% w/v plus a daily anti-itch supplement, TurmerAid (turmeric) and equine minerals and vitamin powder.  She had sweetitch this autumn but didn’t suffer like Hetja did and maybe this is the result. I don’t know.  She has no other symptoms.

This side is the worst.

And this side is not nearly as bad.

I do know Brá, and her friends, regularly hang over the fence so it might just be hair-loss from stretching over wire.

She is absolutely fine in herself, if anything nicer and easier to work with. She has a fine figure now and I wouldn’t want her to be any thinner.

Her field-mates show absolutely no sign of anything similar.

I am trying my best to not ignore the situation. If Brá was itching and miserable, obviously I would move her, but apart from looking revolting, she is absolutely fine.  Possibly looking the best she has in ages.

Anyway, she is enjoying her daily mini-bucket feed of fibre, herbs, powder. She appreciates this individual attention and care.  I hope it all clears up.

Floss and I have been working day-in and day-out like maniacs, feeding, checking, rug changing,  mucking out, feeding again, etc and, although it is always a pleasure, and never a chore, it can get a bit monotonous this time of year as there is little fun like riding.

Today we were out early, cramming our daily routine into the least amount of time possible as, once finished, we were driving to Lerwick.

As the weather was quieter today (though it revs up again tonight), we fed everyone outside, which made a huge difference to us all.  Life instantly became much easier.

Then once done, clothes changed, us vaguely cleaned up, we drove to Lerwick.

I dropped Floss off at the cinema (Little Women), and went to “do the Street”.

One of the lanes.

The shops have started to get ready for the Lerwick Up Helly Aa which takes place on the last Tuesday of January. I think this shop window display sums it up pretty accurately – men and boys, dressing up, and torches.

Anywho, I popped into Jamieson’s to see how my flock were getting on.  More “curlies” will be added tomorrow – as, stupid me, I had forgotten to bring them.

Onwards to the Choccie shop (Mirrie Dancers) for a quick purchase and sampling.

As well as making chocolates with gin (what’s not to love – all my major food groups covered there!) ….

… they make chocolate orcas

The ponies were pink today.

And there were pony lollipops in a basket.

So, we had a good “day off” such as it was. The R&R will stand us in good stead for the next weather onslaught which starts again tonight.