Little Albie always eats his breakfast away from Camus and Tor, for obvious reasons.  They get something but not as much as Albie does.  He needs it.

Afterwards, Albie is returned to his field and we spend time with everyone, until they walk away.

Or not.

(Yesterday, at lunch I saw my little herd in the small field by the house, so I jumped, (ok, I scrambled) over the fence and sat on a nearby flat rock.  To my surprise, Albie came and sat beside me.  Camus jumped on him.  Albie stood up and told Camus he didn’t like that and sat down beside me again.  Camus jumped on him again so Albie and I gave up and we sadly walked away from each other knowing a magical moment had been missed).

So, it was lovely to see Albie trying again.

He had remembered and wanted to be with me.

This time I had an armed guard ready.

My armed guard means business.

This is my idea of pure heaven.

And then, when Albie lay down in my lap, my world suddenly made perfect sense.

I dreamed of this moment.

I felt like a Muzzah to someone who needed me.

Meanwhile, in the background a small cross brown irritant waited for revenge.  He has a perfectly good parent.  He doesn’t need me.

It doesn’t get better than this.  Nope.  This is why I rescue Shetland ponies.

Iacs and Haakon may be old but they are both pure gold.

Iacs is 21 years old (and a strawberry roan, according to WorldFengur -pahaha!)  He has a BLUP of 81 (almost the lowest).

Having said that, a high BLUP is not everything.  Iacs is Daisy’s first horse and if you told her she could only have one horse in her life, then Iacs would be the one, without hesitation.  Kappi and Taktur are much loved, but they will never be Iacs.  Daisy has ridden him for the majority of her riding life.

They trust each other 100%.

And then there is Iacs’ cousin – they share the same Grand Dam and Grand Sire.  I think that makes them cousins, or 1st cousins.  Could someone tell me please.

Haakon is my horse.  He is 22 years old and still going very well.  I think, and I could be wrong, that Haakon has the lowest BLUP in the UK – 80.

I don’t ride very often and I am well aware that I look big on him but Haakon is fine with this. Haakon and I muddle along happily like an old married couple.  I backed him when he was 3 years old so that is 19 years together.  Soon it will be our Silver anniversary!

Haakon remains the same as he ever was.

Still not trot.  Not never.  He just doesn’t and I am very happy with that.

But he has his fun tölt that will never set the world on fire but is comfortable and very reliable.

I love his working outline and I am very proud of my golden dun boy (as described by WorldFengur).  He is pure gold to me.  Once Haakon decides he doesn’t want to be ridden, I doubt I will ride again.  I trust Haakon 100%.

NB: I must buy a nose-wheel for Iacs.  Do they sell them in Amazon?

So, in my life there is Storm.  I luffs him and his silly-billy grin.

Then Silver.  Despite his face, Silver tries to take life seriously.

Waffle doesn’t bother with serious.  Too mundane.

And last, but not least – Tiddles.  God help us all.

We need help.  All of us!

Apparently, under this mess of Minions is a Muzzah!

Delia is doing very well – she stays well out of everything, occasionally barging in just to check no one is getting treats she doesn’t know about!

Lyra has really come out of herself and realised that love comes to those that come and talk rather than run away.

It makes sense really!

As a Muzzah, I spend much time worrying about all my little charges.

Albie is always on my mind.

Am I feeding him enough?

Have I got the right ratio of hard feed to milk right?

Will his little hooves remain white if he dunks them in his milk for long enough?

Are we loving him enough so that he doesn’t miss his Muzzah?

Do the whole family really need to be involved?

Are we teaching him good manners?

Does he think we are his Muzzah (Daisy, Flossie and I and/or BeAnne?)

Does he feel alone in the world?

Does he have a good relationship with BeAnne?

Um, perhaps that might be work-in-progress – BeAnne has taken on the responsibility  for teaching Albie his manners.

By the way, never feel sorry for Camus – he is loved just as much but as he has his own Muzzah, he doesn’t really need us but likes attention anyway.

As a Muzzah, I do worry.  Do you think Albie is looking good?  I could be doing this all wrong.  I hope not.

He is a potential Minion, after all.

A few more photos from yesterday.

(I may be on the rum and coke now with S’mores – it is still my birthday according to me!)

Our Shetland National Dress

Sleepy Foalio

Other mares motivating their friends in the ring.  Each herd group cares about their friends and encouragingly whinny.

A busy helper – Floss worked like a Trojan all day.

Proper little Shelties (the Shetland Sheepdog or Shetland Collie)

 f

Ponies not really participating.

Not even slightly.

Wonderful sheeps.

With superb handlebars.

It always makes me smile the way the rosettes are positioned.

This is just the sheep section. Shetlanders take their sheep very seriously (as do I).

There was a good cow/bull contingent.

Small sheep dogs (border collies) tied to fences.

The usual amazing home-baking.

Beautiful knitwear (I want that hat on the right – the one with the tassel).

A cake after my own heart.

Jam for those who love jam.

It was an exhausting day for everyone.

New friendships were made.

A brand new little Patterdale terrier doing what Patterdale terriers do the best – eating poo!

BeAnne was horrified to meet him and tried to steal the limelight by being upside down!

He was delightful, though, and we all fell in love.

I suppose it would be wrong to swap adult BeAnne for a lovely new puppy! (just thinkin’).

The Jarl Squad arrived.

And gave interviews.

I guess if you are not used to this, it could look a bit different. To those who live in Shetland, it is an everyday occurrence!

I ❤ Shetland