Hjalti is always first up, offering to do something, anything.  He is such a williang happy chappie. So, today, we took him up on his kind offer.

We also decided to take Iacs along, (as a support vessel) – but the headcollar we had brought for Hjalti was too small, so we did a quick swap and had to casually sling a rope around Iacs while we led him out of the field.

Hjalti was apprehensive to leave his best buddies but now was the time for lessons to begin.

The best buddies just stood and watched with interest.  What was Hjalti doing and why was he leaving them?

While Daisy went to fetch a headcollar for Iacs, I told Hjalti what was going to happen and what I expected from him.  He listened carefully.

Hjalti was going for a walk to see the Great Big Outdoors.

Iacs and Daisy accompanied us.

Hjalti was thrilled.  He loved the idea of seeing new things.

We worked on his speshul skill – that of leading nicely and not barging in front of me (like this).

And very quickly Hjalti was leading and, most importantly, listening to me while we walked along the road.  We met one car and we only went a little way but Hjalti was a good boy.

He was happy to go back to his field, though.  His friends had missed him, apparently.

On one of my recent solitary physiotherapy walks, I noticed the plovers were home.

The birds arrived as “a stand, wing, or congregation”, depending on your vocabulary.

I am going with congration as the plovers congregated beautifully.

Of course they quickly spied me and my huge camera.

And were off!

I am not very good at hiding.

But I love watching the plovers.

The birds took off, as one, into the sky.

They flew about for a short while waiting for me to go.

I know this because the minute I moved away, they all came back and settled where they had been.  I am nothing to them. Just someone with a camera who must be avoided.

All I wanted was to watch these beautiful birds as a “stand” of plovers or as a “wing” of plovers.  Here in Shetland, they are called “Plivvers” or “Pluvialis apricaria“ if you want to be posh in Latin.

Anyway, the plovers should be relieved that I am not Monster who is bringing wildlife home on a very regular basis.  About two items a day.  This is not encouraged but cannot be stopped.

The plovers don’t stay long.  They will soon be off south to warmer climes, I think.

I was wondering whether there is a market for a Shetland pony meet and greet experience.

(And/or Icelandic filly too who happens to live in the field at the moment.)

Would folk want to come and meet the Minions and the famous Fair Isle sweater wearing old ladies, Fivla and Vitamin?

Would they like to experience being loved?

And surrounded?

It could be as little or as much as anyone wanted.

I realise not everyone wants to sit down amongst eight Shetland ponies.

But, I think, there are some out there who want to do just this but don’t know where to go or who to ask.

And that is the one thing I can offer.

Gentle, well brought up, non-bitey or kicking Shetland ponies who love visitors.

It could be as hands-on as anyone wanted it to be and folk could stand by the fence if they preferred and just watch.

I just know that anyone who meets my Shetland ponies (and Lilja) adore them.  They love the fact that the ponies have good manners, appreciate people and are very loveable.  So, is there a market for a Meet n’ Greet?  Nowhere in Shetland can you do this.  Yes, you can see them from the side of the road but you can’t go in a field and be hugged.

Bjørn, our trainer, arrived today with a new little mare for Daisy to ride.

He gave her a really good lesson.

Daisy always enjoys riding new Icelandic horses, especially “green” ones.

This little mare has not been ridden for a while.

But she is a lovely little lady.  Nice and soft.

Daisy was teaching her bend and to engage her hind quarters.

This mare is five gaited, which means she has walk, trot, tölt, pace and canter.

We all watched Daisy and the little mare with interest.

They made a very nice team.

They worked on both reins in four of the gaits – walk, trot, tölt and canter.  They did not pace because you need a large straight area to practice on and the school is too small.

I hope Daisy will be riding this mare again.  They both enjoyed themselves very much.

THIS IS NOT ANOTHER THORDALE HORSE.  REPEAT THIS IS NOT ANOTHER THORDALE HORSE…… REPEAT ad nauseam.

(But they do look very nice together!)

Happy, happy days. Haakon was shod yesterday so this morning I tacked him up to go for a ride.

Daisy came too on Iacs.  He was very happy to be going out with his cousin (and obviously Daisy was thrilled to be accompanying her dear old Mum!)

This is my “Happy Face”.  Iacs has started his scrounge for the carrots and treats I have secreted apparently all over my person.

And so off we went, like we always used to and nothing had changed.

Riding was great. I managed to get on and off fine and the bit in the middle of going along was wonderful.

I had no pain and I felt very safe.

Haakon went beautifully but he is very unfit and we only have two gaits – piggy pace and walk.

I don’t care.  I have decided to try and ride every other day and this winter we will both get fitter together.

As always, the views were the best.

And then, afterwards, I went out with my sheeple for my physiotherapy walk.

I thinking the daily walking has helped hugely.  I am nearly back to “normal” again.