The vet visited this afternoon to microchip Efstur.

We have not done anything with him.  He has worn a headcollar twice – it was rather a fight each time to get it on.

So I was a tad nervous today.

I tied up Brá and approached Efstur with his headcollar, waiting for the usual fight. Efstur stood nicely while I put on his headcollar!

A carrot slice was given for good manners and I was amazed.

The vet did all he wanted to do – microchip – more carrot slices given, headcollar off.

And then he remembered he wanted to record his whirls, swirls and markings so back on with the headcollar.  Again, no fight = more carrot.

Done.  So off came the headcollar when the DNA sample was mentioned.  I knew my luck was not going to hold but I went in with the headcollar and, again, on it went.

This resulted in endless carrots!

I am so proud of Efstur.  He was a good boy.

Brá is doing a very good job with her baby boy (and yes she is pregnant and not fat!)

(btw, his nose has a perfect golden hue)

After Efstur, it was Tiddles’ turn.  I had taken on board all your comments and thought, as the vet was here, it would be good if he could give Tids a check-up.

All was deemed fine and that was good to know.  So we will now concentrate on Operation Make Tiddles Smile Again.

We’ve done it before, when he arrived as a very depressed little foal, and we can do it again.  Toys.  I will get the toys out.  Tiddles loves toys.

Hjalti was a good boy as well. He led beautifully through the fields without pulling.

I love it when everyone is nice.  Makes it all worthwhile.

Albie is fed twice a day.

Although he is very much part of the herd, he knows that twice a day (morning and late afternoon, just before it gets dark), he is fed.

No one else has this waiter-service.

Just our little Albie.

The others would like to be fed.  When I say “others”, I mostly mean Storm and Tiddles.

They only get a look-in when the bowl is empty.

Albie, though small, is a very determined little chap.

And we love him for that.  His determination is what has kept him alive.

That, and a pile of milk and hard feed, over the last six months.

We pre-mix the milk in the house and it is brought to the field in a one litre pre-washed bottle.

This bottle is a source of constant entertainment to those that think they too should be fed.

Of course, there is nothing left but some (ie Storm and Tiddles) won’t be told.  The word “no” is actually not in their vocabulary,

Meanwhile, Tiddles continues to worry me.  He is, by no means, his usual self.  I spend many hours hugging him and telling him that everything is alright now.  He is very down and I can only think that such a near-death experience has left him scars that will take a very long time to heal.

However, BeAnne continues to go from strength to strength.  I have halted her riding career, though she can go out in a basket saddle if she insists, but no more horse-riding for Her Maj.  She continues to follow me everywhere, come Hell or high water.

As I walked back home, I turned and saw a beautiful rainbow.

So there you are – proof.  There is a pot of gold for the ponies of Thordale!

Lyra, Vitamin, Waffle and Silver have been moved back to another field in Sandness.

I hate them being so far from home.  These days, I am filled with dread when I drive to Sandness but some of my fields are there and I can’t waste them.  There is nothing I can do.

So, taking Her Maj for company, I drove over to check everyone was happy and healthy.

Here in Shetland, we have been having the most amazing Autumn.  The colours are beautiful and I can’t seem to do them justice. I find it quite frustrating.  I see such wonderful hues when I go riding but can’t capture them.  Gah!

Anywho, sitting in the field with half of the Minions and mother and daughter on a sunny still Autumn afternoon was lovely. Noses to kiss, lots of chatting and my little friends all around me.

We visit them daily to check everything is ok (as well as receiving phone calls from caring neighbours if there are problems).

I still hate them being away from home, though.  In a perfect world, I would have them all around the house (and possibly in as well).

❤ Waffle is in lerve with Lyra ❤

He follows her everywhere and, if he looks at another woman, Lyra gets all narky!  It is very sweet to see.

Vitamin is still head of the herd.  Fatly and happily looking on.

So all well but still I wish they were home.  It makes me sad and worried.

🗣 💬 👩‍👩‍👧‍👧 🌈 🗣 💬 👩‍👩‍👧‍👧 🌈 🗣 💬 👩‍👩‍👧‍👧 🌈 🗣 💬 👩‍👩‍👧‍👧 🌈 🗣 💬 👩‍👩‍👧‍👧 🌈

I hate to nag but……..

(and please tell your friends!)

After the boredom of trying on their winter rugs, I let the Minions run round the school for fun and to stretch their legs.

They love playing liberty ponies and we do this whenever they are in the school.

I popped a pole down to see what would happen.

I often seen the Minions jumping the ditches when they are playing in their field so I know they like jumping.

Look at Tiddles’ earnest little face (Storm went round!)

They jumped the pole a couple of times with huge enthusiasm.

They preferred this rein and jumped as if the pole was a jump from a Puissance Class at HOYS – a competition where the fences are raised for each round.  The current indoor record is for  2.40 m (7 ft 10 in) so the Minions have a little way to go.

Dear little boys.

And then I made a little jump – just one bucket high.  Nothing huge.

Of course, I let them walk the course.

It is very important when show-jumping because they need to work out the striding to the jump.  Usually it is the rider who does this.

And then off they went….

Wow!

They flew!

….. until they all, to a pony, worked out they could go round without much effort!

Typical little Shetland ponies – always finding the easiest way round.

Still, they had the best fun and it was wonderful to watch.

My flying Minions.  The little pocket rockets.

✈️ 👐 🚀 💓 ✈️ 👐 🚀 💓 ✈️ 👐 🚀 💓 ✈️ 👐 🚀 💓 ✈️ 👐 🚀 💓

PS.  If you haven’t already, please vote for my blog.

Well, it’s that time of year again.

That time when the boys try on their school uniform, ie winter rugs and yes, they behave like we all did when we we went to the school uniform shop.  Bored, bored, bored.

We took the Minions inside and put on their last year’s rugs…..

….. to see if they still fitted….

(or not).

In our house, the Minions are divided into two size camps.  The larger ones are Silver and Waffle and the smaller ones are Storm and Tiddles.  And then, of course, there is Albie who has to grow into all their rugs.  Poor Albie, from now on, he will never have a new one to call his own.

Last year, I bought these two lovely navy rainsheets for Silver and Waffle.

Methinks, they are now a tad snug.

Even on their biggest setting they barely go around Silver and Waffle’s belly.  Ooops.

Plus they don’t really do up at the front very nicely.  Yes it “fits” but it will rub – not good.

So I popped the rug on Storm.  He liked it (so important) and it fitted (even more important).

Waffle’s medium-fill rugs (for those colder days) from last year, just about fitted Storm and Tiddles.

This last year, I have been scouring Fleabay for really good quality rugs and found this gorgeous high neck rug for Delia.  This is The Rug of Rugs.  I would wear it.  Seriously, shit could fall from the sky and Delia would be fine and warm.

Meanwhile, Silver managed to get himself tied up in knots (berk).

Storm succeeded in getting his headcollar off (eejit)

While Waffle tried to escape (typical).

So you know, I only rug The Minions when they need it.  At present, no one needs it.

🎉 🎊 🎁 🍾 🎉 🎊 🎁 🍾 🎉 🎊 🎁 🍾 🎉 🎊 🎁 🍾 🎉 🎊 🎁 🍾

Oh yes, I have been nominated for the fourth year running (three years winning) as Haynet Blogger of the Year.

Please can you vote for me. Voting is now open and you have until midnight on Friday 4th November 2016.

(there is a £100 first prize – just imagine how many rugs I could buy for my little boys)