One of my missions over the next few weeks, is to teach Sóley the Foalie how to load into the van with her mother, Hetja, so that we can eventually move them into their winter field at Leradale.

We caught Lilja and Hetja and led them over to the indoor school, with Sóley happily following along too.

We put Lilja out of the way and concentrated on Hetja and Sóley.

This is completely new territory but Sóley let me easily catch and put a headcollar on her.  Daisy attached a lunge line.  Good idea!

We did a spot of leading and then I walked Hetja into the van, leaving Sóley at the bottom of the ramp wondering what to do next.

Sóley:  Where’s Mum gone?

Sóley: Ah, here you are.

Sóley:  You want me to do what?

Sóley:  Seriously.  Just give me a nose kissey and I will think about it.

Sóley: No, I’ve decided I don’t want to think about it.

So we hung a haynet in the van to keep Hetja occupied and Sóley could see that her mother was happy, relaxed and eating.

That was the decider for Sóley.  She held her own investigation.

It was thorough.

And next thing, before you know it, she had her feet on the ramp.

Sniff, sniff, sniff…..

I walked behind and slipped out a bucket of food for Hetja and one for Sóley too (in a strategic position).

I moved the food in tiny steps until Sóley had walked into the van all by herself.

Mission achieved with minimal fuss.

And absolutely no lying down on the ramp having a tantrum, like others we know – that was Lilja’s party trick when she was a foal.

And we will be repeating this in regular training sessions until one day we put up the ramp and drive off to Leradale.

Yesterday was lovely. I even went for a walk with the Boyzens and BeAnne.  Pfft. Today is very different.

It is vile – wet, cold and very windy (gusting Force 9 according to one of my favourite websites, Windy.com).  I am very fond of the vintage Beaufort Scale even though it is considered outdated in the advanced world of weather.

Anywho, I kitted myself up and went outside to do battle with the elements.  I needed to check everyone was ok.

Having looked around the croft to find all horses happy, eating and cleverly positioned out of the worst of it, I drove off to check on the Minion field and Brá.  They live about 15 minutes away.

During my drive on the road through the scattald (open hill/common grazing), I saw the hill Shetland ponies were now out.

I decided to leave the Minions as they were at the furthest point of their furthest field, contentedly eating.  A head count of eight confirmed that all were present, correct and absolutely fine.

I wasn’t completely a lazy mare and did get out of the car at Brá’s field, which she shares with two other horses.  They were sheltering in front of an excellent high wall and were not leaving it so I shouted, they looked up and I retreated.

It was, however, “nice weather for ducks”!

Driving on my way home, the hill ponies were now on the other side of the road.

When the weather has calmed down, I might go and search them out for some better photos.  It is certainly not “nice weather” for expensive cameras.

A friend asked me to find her two miniature Shetland ponies.

So I did – meet Festus and Ulysses on Day 1 at their fabulous new home.

They are gorgeous wonderful little fluff-balls who met for the first time the day before.

Obviously two peas in a pod to look at and  I am struggling trying to identify who is who (sorry if I get their photos wrong – it was difficult).

Festus has the white paint/sale mark on his bottom. He came through the Marts (sales).  I had to bid for him on my friend’s behalf, which I will admit I was nervous about but I did it, and we had the winning bid.  Phew!

I am reliably informed by his new mum that the colt with a white mark on his forehead is Ulysses.  He is the out-going, inquisitive one.

Festus is the more quiet of the two little squirts.  He is a very sweet natured little chap who I think will soon be Ruling the World, like they do.  One word – Newt! It doesn’t take long.

Both chaps love peoples.

Which is, of course, perfect.

My friend already has two Icelandic horses (a mare and a gelding) in her family.  The mare is not a huge fan of the new arrivals and they are in separate but adjoining fields.

Today’s update – “they both come running when they are called”.  Darling little bebbies.

So mission accomplished.   This could not be a more perfect home for two little Shetland ponies. Thank you for the task.  Ask me any time. I love a happy ending.

Today we made the decision to return the old ladies to their herd of rescue Shetland ponies, aka The Minions.

Yes, I loved having them home but……

And there is a big buttt…….. Taktur, our Icelandic stallion, got wind of the girls (mostly because Vitamin was shouting to him) and proceeded to bully the old men, Haakon and Iacs.  Seriously not cool.

I was furious with him.  He was vile.  A whole new low of horridness and, as you know, I don’t do bullies.

We opened the gate and shouted.   Iacs and Haakon did not need asking twice.  They shifted faster than I have seen for a while, rushed through the gate, followed by His Twattness.  I swiftly shut the gate on him.

So the girls had to go back.  Due to our rubbish washing last week, not much grease has gone from their coats and we reckon they will be fine.

Anywho, Albie was thrilled to see his “mother” back.  He loves Fivla and she loves him.

Newt, on the other hoof, followed Vitamin around. He is her second in command and they shared information – please say this with an authentic Russian accent.  Newt is a Russian spy.

My dream of having the old ladies home, at the moment, was not to be.  Taktur is a fully paid up member of Berkdom with Haakon and Iacs suffering his immense Twattitude.  Once through the gate, we could quickly see that Iacs was kicking at his sheath (there was urine dripping too, which was very worrying) so we cold hosed his bits and he is now having anti-inflammatories.  He is looking much better and all symptoms have subsided.

Bloody buggering horses.  Why can’t they just get on?  Those goldfish are looking good.

We arrived at the Shetland Museum and quickly got everyone ready.

There were already folk waiting for the two celebrities.

Fivla and Vitamin were behind a small barrier so they wouldn’t be alarmed by all the spectators. Anyone (and everyone) who wanted could have their photo taken with them one at a time.  There was an orderly queue that never stopped.  I honestly don’t think the ponies had forgotten what to do.  They were professionals.

I was so proud of my ponies. They behaved beautifully and certainly hadn’t forgotten their celebrity ettiquette.  They chatted politely and pricked their ears forward for each photograph.

The Museum had very kindly offered to put out buckets for donations for the Minions and so I spent my time talking to folk and giving out leaflets.

We gave the girls a well-earned break in the middle and happily trundled over the bridge back to the van for water and hay.

And then they walked back to Hay’s Dock for the last leg of their Meet n’ Greet.

We tried to stay in the sun for the best light so the ponies were repositioned around the pier while people took more and more photos.

Once over, we returned all the sweaters (including the two that Daisy and Flossie borrowed) and gave the two VIP’s (short for Very Important Ponies) a nice bucket of grub before travelling home.

Now they have returned to their usual life of living in a field and eating.

We are all exhausted but it was a brilliant day and wonderful to see Fivla and Vitamin do what they do best – show the world that they are still superstars.  There really is nothing better than a Shetland pony wearing a Fair Isle sweater.