My turn today to walk the dogs and check the chaps at Leradale so off I traipsed.

When we got there, the ponios were miles away, on the side of the hill where there was no wind.

It was blowey out and they know where best to stand all together in a close huddle.  Shetland ponies are very weather-savvy.

I gave them all the carrots I had in my pockets, breaking them up so everyone had a few pieces.  All fairly shared out.

And then I left them all to get on with my dog walk.  Only I was not alone. I had a follower.  A small soggy hopeful little chap – Storm.

BeAnne (and Loki far away in the distance) and I walked along the side of the hill.

I looked behind me and there were more friends behind me.

My dear little ponios who wanted to accompany me on my dog walk or, more likely, find out if Storm had found more carrots about my person.

Then they all, to a pony, cantered past giggling.

I am sure I heard sniggering.

Delia brought up the rear.  She even cantered which cheered my heart.

There were moments of siliness (Waffle and Silver having a quick bounce on a hillock!)

Every so often, I would be “surrounded”. 

It was a dramatic sky and Waffle did his best to do the noble Shetland pony steed look.   

Onwards and upwards we went and, still, I had my followers.

Always led by Storm.  You have to admire his optimism or perseverance.

After a while, the ponies galloped off and left me to take the dogs home.

I love it when I am followed by friends.  Only friends, please.  No wierdos.

So, while Bjørn rode Haakon leading his new horse, Elvar, and Daisy rode Iacs (aka Mr Bimble), I waited around to see who came home first with, or without, their rider.  It has been known mostly by me.  Last time I did this many years ago, I fell off!

Anyway, you just never know.  Some experiments can go horribly wrong.  Bjørn had asked that Daisy accompany them to help in case something happened.  She also carried a long dressage stick to tickle Elvar’s bottom if he put the brakes on.

Meanwhile little Efstur was hanging round the gate and felt horribly left out.  He is desperate to do “stuff” but is far too young.  We don’t go near them until they are at least a very mature 3 year old but better to be 4.  So Efstur has a while to wait.  He is easy to catch, put on a head collar, lead and pick up his feet as a yearling so he doesn’t need to learn anything more from me.

Far better to be with his friends in the field.  That would be Hjalti, who is at the same place in his training but absolutely no “idiot factor” is tolerated.

The riders were away for a while so Floss and I sat outside with a sandwich and then Flossie went to talk to her Icelandic horse, Klængur, while I pottered about taking photos.

We waited to hear hoofbeats and then three Icelandic horses appeared on our track coming over brow of the hill.

Everyone looked fine, in control, and I think the whole training episode was a success!

Afterwards, Newt went over to Elvar to tell him who was the boss of this herd.

So Elvar knew.

Because it’s important.

To Newt.

🎃 👻 🎃 👻 🎃 👻 🎃 👻 🎃 👻 🎃 👻 🎃 👻 🎃 👻 🎃 👻 🎃 👻 🎃 👻

I have totally lost my riding mojo.  It has gone.  I don’t know why but it has.

Today, I kicked myself up the arse and rode out.

(this is Iacs trying to eat the carrots he thinks I keep in my pocketses)

My normal view.

Daisy and I decided it would be a slow old-man Sunday morning plod – as we cantered out of the gate!

We set off down the road.

It was ruddy cold – a fresh northerly wind making it two degrees celsius.

As usual, Haakon and I were left behind.  These days, no one waits for us.

But we both went belting up the canter track to the top.

And beyond…..

Onwards to the “top of the world”.

It was here that Haakon, fed up of being at the back, made his bid to overtake. He snuck up on the inside!

Once leader, Haakon got to make all the decisions – like when to turn and go home.

Me? I am just a mere passenger who sits aloft with my hands in my pockets trying to keep warm.  And I am also working the camera!

It was a good ride.  We laughed, we galloped and we were, as usual, fairly out of control but it didn’t matter – these are old horses we were riding and they know their job.  They’ve been doing it for years.

And yes, we did canter home like the British Horse Society say you should never do!

I think my riding mojo has returned.

The wind it doth blow.

Rather a lot at the moment.

So, after I took photos of the croft house yesterday, I went down to the field to spend some time with my Minions and the three old ladies.

Tiddles was first up.

He seems to have got over his horrific ordeal (when he fell in a sink hole, this time last year – I shall never forgive myself).

Next up, were Storm and Silver.  Always hopeful for a pocket-carrot.

Darling Waffle.  Ever the Grown-Up and so easy going.

Delia is doing well. She almost flattened me for her carrot.  This winter we are adopting the natural approach – no rugs, miles to walk about in plus unlimited grass.  Obviously, we will continuously assess her and if she needs rugs and extra feed, then it will be given without question.

The day she stops flattening us for her food, is The Day.

Although it is barely winter, I think Delia is looking good – her usual self – ears flat back demanding her calorific dues.

That’s our Delia.  We wouldn’t want her any other way.

Fivla and Vitamin with their Abba impersonation!

Fivla is trying to slim down.

To be perfectly honest, one good Shetland winter should shift that muffin top!

Vitamin is happy enough ruling her world.  She tells herself the Minions do her bidding and they let her believe that.  It is a fragile, yet working, balance.

So, having dished out the statutory carrot and kissed each nose, I sat down on my rock to be mugged.

Trying to take “selfies” in a gale is a hopeless task.  The result was Storm eating my jacket – he sees it as an activity centre – the zips and velcro.

I gave up and went home.

No one seems to care about the wind.