Need help with anything and Lilja is there for you.  Always there.

Although we take drinking water and fill up buckets for the pregnant Icelandic ladies, there are two perfectly good streams/drainage ditches that run through their field for drinking out of.  Floss was making one more accessible for the girls.

Lilja was fascinated watching Floss trying to break the ice without falling over.

So, being Lilja, she offered to help.  She stood nice and close by while Floss used her as support, and kicked away at the ice.

Dear Lilja.  I was very impressed.  All our horses (and sheep) are used to me hanging on to them, due to my inability to stay upright.  They will even let me hang on to be pulled upright, which is very useful.  Lilja is no exception.

Many years ago, when Taktur, Lilja’s father, was an unridden colt, I remember falling over in the mud by the gate in the pitch dark while I was trying to put him out.  Taktur just stood there while I floundered about and ended up pulling myself up hanging onto his hairy legs and then his mane.  So Lilja has it in her genes to be a perfect lady.

And she is.

So, after Floss’ ice-breaking, we walked up the hill back to the car and of course we were followed.  It’s not food Lilja wants.  She is a very people person.

I seriously love this little horse.  Lilja is very special.  She is a horse you can rely on.

We have sheet ice everywhere now.  It is horrid and I worry about walking on it.  When I came out this morning to feed the sheep, there was ‘Bert sitting down.  Not like him at all.  I called over “I hope you haven’t broken your leg” and he got up and started hopping towards me.  My heart sank.

So we managed to get everyone into a small paddock, I phoned the vet for advice and also waited for our local expert to come along.  He is our postman.

Once the expert arrived, ‘Bert refused to be caught and for a sheep with a supposed broken leg, he was very speedy, breaking out of his enclosure.  We decided that if he could successfully do that, on four legs as if nothing was wrong, then none of them were broken.

I telephoned the vet again and agreeing, she offered ‘Bert a painkilling injection.  So after feeding hay to the Minions, we went to collect said jab and this was my view for the rest of the day – ‘Bert’s bottom leaving.

Lambie and ‘Ster loved all the chasing and bribery – the biccie tin was out in full force.

I tried everything including my secret supply of Shreddies!

Eventually I managed to grab ‘Bert and turquoise sprayed his foot, looked for anything there (nothing), had a sniff (nothing) and gave him his painkilling injection.  He hates me now.

So I have done my best.  The boys are outside the house.  There is a pile of hay and a bucket of water close by.

I reckon ‘Bert has wrenched his leg or shoulder and it will hopefully clear up on its own.

I left them all looking at Monster.

His Best Day Ever – et voilà, an invisible cat!

Yesterday I found that we had a herd of chippy-chipmunks busily eating the fences.  I hate that but the Shetland ponies are bored and not feeling full because they have to dig for grass through the snow.  It is not difficult and it is what they were born to do but loafing around with Lilja and eat the fences is more fun.  So, today ,Floss and I lugged 3 haynets over to Leradale as well as a lick bucket.

We plonked the hay in the middle of their field so they would have to leave the fence posts alone and maybe even forget about them (I type this hopefully).

Of course they all followed the food except for Newt …..

…. and Vitamin who said they couldn’t and didn’t know how.

So Floss and I went back and chivvied them over to join the others.

I know the ponies struggle in the ice but I can’t do everything for them.

The hay was popular.

They stuffed their faces.

The lick bucket was a success too and they all shared without argument and flying bottoms.

And then, of course, Storm had to roll in his food.  Because he could.

They will now get hay while we have snow and then hopefully they will leave my fences alone.  I will put up an electric fence if I have to.

I mean it! These are my cross clouds!

We couldn’t find the Minions so reckoned they were at the “Top of the World” part of their field.  Bravely (the ice is very nasty) we drove up the hill to find them.

We were right. There they were.  Noseys through the gate waiting for their carrot.

It’s a skill.  Honestly if they could beg, they would!

It is lovely at the Top of the World.

Everyone looked very pretty.

And it reminded me that I need to come with my brushes and do something with them. I don’t know what really – probably wave them about a bit. I am not good at brushing or housework, funnily enough. Not my thing.

How much should I charge for kisses from Newt?  A million pounds?

Outside is very beautiful but hard work. The waterpipes are freezing and everyone needs feeding all the time (it feels like).

Meanwhile, back at home, Taktur has something on his nose and no one wants to say anything because that would be rude, but really someone should.  It will probably be Iacs!

It was a beautiful calm Shetland winter’s day.  Just stunning.  Blue sky, crisp sparkly ground covered in more snow.

Monster was in his element.  Now you see him…..

And now you don’t!

What cat?

There is no cat!

But I did see the boys lying down and enjoying the sunshine.  Their coats felt very warm despite the snow.  Taktur was lying down with his sons and heirs, while Kappi was separate in the feeding area.

Taktur and Hjalti were together.

Dreki was nearby.

All snoozing gently.

It was very peaceful and I am glad they were relaxing.  We have had some filthy weather and I am sure it is very wearing all round.

The bottom lip of total relaxation was out.  You can almost hear the snoring.

Almost…… Hjalti was trying to not fall alseep.  Trying so very hard.

He gave in.

Now where did I leave that cat?  Who knows.