I started Shetland’s Foal Milk Service a few years ago for anyone in Shetland who needed an emergency supply of replacement mare’s milk as well as Foal Stim, a unique colostrum and prebiotic (FOS) nutritional supplement. 

Anyway, I have my stock ready for this year’s foaling season in Shetland and if anyone needs it, they can find the supply in my porch.

The cost is £15.00 for the Aintree Foal Milk bucket (it is a kit containing is a rubber foal teat, sterilising tablets and mare’s milk replacer milk powder along with full emergency feeding instructions.

And £16.00 for the Foal-Stim (a 20ml oral syringe – you give it like wormer).

I am absolutely no expert but I have used both products and do know the Foal Stim (or what I call, Red Bull for foals) buys you time.  It is an instant energy drink for newborn foals that are weak, underweight, failing to suckle or initially thrive.  Foal Stim has saved many foals’ lives and is an essential in my foaling kit.

And the Mare’s Milk Replacer is exactly that.  We used it for Albie and he grew into a big and strong foal.  Albie preferred a bucket to a bottle, but that’s just him.

I fund this service because it can take a long time for anything to get here and that could be the difference between life and death.  I don’t care if the stock is never used.  That is fine.  Never used means it was never required but if you urgently need these emergency supplies in Shetland for your foal, phone me on 01595 809 432 any time, day or night – 24/7 – and I will do all I can to help.  I am not here to replace the vet.

For more information – Thordale Stud website

Efstur and Dreki the other evening chewing the fat, as we say.

It was on February 26th of this year that we called the vet out for the first time to look at Haakon who was slowly declining and showing signs that something was very wrong.  As you may know, I was hugely worried.

Haakon

Anywho, last night Haakon said he didn’t want to go to bed in his stable and broke with routine to go out in the field with the rest of the horses.  He has spent the last couple of months either standing/lying in his stable on very deep bedding or outside where he could see his friends but was not actually be with them in the field.  We wanted him kept as peaceful as possible and out of the deep winter mud that is everywhere.

Last night, Haakon wanted to be with his herd.

And they were pleased to have him back.

Haakon was his usual anti-social self.

But I don’t care, Haakon had asked to go out for the first time and he finally wanted to get back to normal.

You have no idea what a huge weight fell off my shoulders.  Suddenly I can breathe again.

I have been so worried and scared about the whole ordeal.  I am not good when a beloved animal is ill.  Not good at all.

We are still taking things slowly.  This morning, Haakon came out of the field so he could graze without standing in the now quickly drying mud.  He has gone back out again tonight and, although tired, seems much happier.

Little steps – that’s Haakon’s annoyed stop-hassling me face!

Despite the “creepy neighbour” looking in all the time, our farrier, Bjørn, rode over to trim the young lads’ hooves this afternoon.

First up was Efstur as he was the most urgent.  We don’t do much with him but he stood like a good boy, picking each hoof as required one at a time and let Bjørn easily do his job.

He didn’t mind BeAnne (why should he?) and took an interest at what was happening.

Typical Efstur.  Always curious.

Hjalti was next in line and, while waiting, spent his time gazing at Bjørn’s beautiful Icelandic mare.  Again, Hjalti was a good boy about his feet.  As he is ridden fairly regularly now, he also gets his feet picked up in preparation of being shod in the not too distant future.

And last up was little Dreki Dragon who is growing, really growing outwards and upwards into a solid chap.

Dreki was not as helpful as his half-brothers, probably because we should do this feet-lifting thing more with him but once Daisy told him everything was fine and yes, she was his best friend forever, then he just got on with it.

It was not a fight, no raised voices, Dreki was unsure of what was going on.  We really must practice more now the mud is drying up.  It’s on my to-do list.  I just told him Lilja, his sister, would have behaved better.  That did the trick, he buckled down and behaved!  Sibling rivalry – works every time!

In my humble opinion, a morning spent with the Minions is a morning well spent.

Floss and I had taken two brushes with us and we attacked all the Shetland ponies’ manes and tails (plus any bits that needed attention) with the vigour of a Spring clean.

I think Storm suffers from the same affliction as me – no matter how much I brush, I always look like I’ve been dragged through a hedge backwards.  Storm is not dissimilar.  It must be in our genes.

It was lovely sitting down on the (slightly wet) ground.  A fact I only found out when I eventually stood up and found I had a damp bottom.  I have missed sitting with my boys.  The ground drying up is proof summer is finally on its way.

Mostly the ponies were with Flossie. Her coat is a magnet, an activity centre for curious wicked Shetland ponies. There is something about it that is magical to them.  They surround her and then try to bite the buttons off, travel the zips up and down and generally annoy.

And look, Newt and Floss have the same hair.  Another family resemblance there!

From the photos, you can sort of see  the ponies look slightly brushed.  So, that’s good then.

We are getting the herd ready to meet the public.  I guess I should brush my hair as well!