Efstur, our Icelandic horse colt foal, will have to be micro-chipped before the end of the year.  It is imperative we achieve this.

With it in mind, we are introducing Efstur to the thought of wearing a head collar.

He likes the head collar.

But he couldn’t eat a whole one!

Flossie is using the “look-at-your-friend-wear-it” method of training.

We let Efstur play with it.

And Flossie rewards him for taking an interest and not running away in a panic.

Then there is the rope, which we use to simulate something around his head.

He needs to get used to the feeling of this…..

…. and around his nose.

Efstur needs to learn that no one has ever died from wearing a head collar.

He likes the rope.

Next is the feeling of putting something round his neck.

Flossie and Efstur have been working very hard together for the past week and their efforts are beginning to show.

We all agree that, having brought Hjalti home, there has been a change in both of them.

Hjalti enjoys his “big brother” role in this herd and has risen to the challenge beautifully.

Efstur, on the other hoof, is a devoted disciple of Hjalti and worships the ground he tölts on. His behaviour has improved immensely since Hjalti’s arrival.

If Hjalti says everything is fine then Efstur believes him.

Hjalti is Efstur’s voice of reason, along with teaching him his manners and looking after him, in return.

It is a lovely relationship to watch.

Taktur started his competition training again a few weeks’ ago.  It is not all going round in endless circles in the indoor school.  We like to go outside too.  It broadens the mind.

Taktur’s training will be a long slow process and one that Daisy, his owner and rider, takes very seriously.  Bjørn Roar Larsen (FEIF Instructor/Trainer Level 3) did the foundation work and now it is time for Daisy to take over if she wants to establish a good working relationship with Taktur. Bjørn is their trainer.

Nothing will be rushed and Taktur’s mental and physical health are Daisy’s priority – as well as his Big Hair!

And his Big Tail.

I love this photo – Daisy’s silly grin says it all.

She adores Taktur.

They make a great team.

He is the black stallion she has always wanted (sadly, Indy was just that bit too small).

I was riding Haakon, as always a bit behind – we are not as fast as we used to be, when we spied Daisy and Taktur sharing special moment together …..

Daisy:  One day, all this will be yours
Taktur:  What?  the curtains!

with apologies to Monty Python

Another soppy minute together.

As always, training is not about looking beautiful, it is about working the muscles that make the beauty.  So “long and low” is hugely encouraged.

This has to be my most favourite view.  Haakon’s happy little black-tipped ears pointing towards the world in front of us.

Haakon has always taken an interest in his surroundings.  He rarely spooks because he is continuously looking around evaluating the situation.

And yes, we do come across cars, occasionally and yes, everyone is fine, even tractors and quads.

We ❤ our horses.

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!