Someone who is compact, small and ginger has not been very nice to their owner.  They have been taking advantage and that is not a Good Thing.

So, we put our expert onto it.

She was given the task to sort him out, which she did.

No one likes being taken advantage of and more work will happen – from both Daisy and Flossie.

After a lovely ride out on Iacs, Klængur and Haakon,  Daisy free-lunged her competition horse, Kappi (with the chickens – this is Elvis flapping about!)

From the left – Wiggins, The Brown One, Elvis and the Cockerel – so you know.

Kappi enjoyed running around the school and, now, his competition training is about to start.

I left them all to it and went to Sandness to see Les Autres.  En route, I saw this wonderful sheep.  There was something about him.  I am not sure what, however.

Everyone was very happy in their new field (we moved them 2 days ago).

I sat down with them and they came up to chat, be scratched and hugged.  My idea of a perfect afternoon.

Thordale ponies do not really understand being patted or petted – they want you to be with them and do lots of hugging, even Lyra.

I went round each pony/horse testing their “nose-kissey” button. All for science.

Luckily, everyone’s worked. I know this.

Delia is looking good, for her years, and is also on very fine form.

I am so proud of Hjalti.  What a wonderful job Hetja has made of him.  He has the nicest temperament  (Hetja), and all the charm of his father (Taktur) and wow, can he move (Hetja and Taktur).

On the way home, I saw a “swimming” sheep.

I always think of Lambie when I see a swimming sheep.  Like them, he does daft things – I have to wonder if they are related.

My back, after yesterday, was not happy.  Serious painkillers were required but I know that exercise will help.  Always keep gently mobilising – that is The Rule. I would rather keep going than resorting to mind-boggling analgesia.

So, today, I walked the dogs as OH had gone to town.

Or sheep.  Whoever turns up.  I am not fussy.

To be fair, Loki did appear.

BeAnne went halfway and then swiftly back home to bed. .

The Shetland views were, as ever, truly wonderful.

Shetland’s beauty, in all weathers, never ceases to amaze me.

Lambie was very happy and practising his “winning smile”.

‘Ster, who had been on the scattald (open hill), having seen us, ran to catch up and came along too.

My dear darling Boysenberries.

They were on top form, bouncing and giggling with each other as they went.

Since lambhood, Lambie has always had a taste for computer cables.  One of the main reasons he went to live outside.

When he spied my headphones (I was listening to a Radio 4 Afternoon Play), he immediately had to taste-test them.  He never grew up.

When I told him off, he had to jump up to explain.  Darling Lambie – always the same, always a Mummy’s boy.  Someone told me it was wrong to let him jump up.  I said it was the Postman’s fault – he taught him, not me.  I just kiss his nosey (Lambie, not the postman!)

And so, we wended our way home.  Loki looked slightly embarrassed and the Boysens looked very happy, if tired.

I was met by three of the Deadly Sins – greed, gluttony and wrath,

I gave them a carrot each and went indoors.

The little herd (Waffle, Silver, Storm, Tiddles, (the original Minions), plus Hjalti (Icelandic yearling gelding), Delia and Lyra (standard Shetland pony mares) all live 4 miles away from home and they need more grass.

So, today, Daisy and Flossie kindly lugged endless 25l containers of water to prepare the next field for the little herd.

Then Daisy led Lyra, Flossie led Storm and Silver and I led Hjalti, into their new field. I would like to say the rest followed beautifully, without question, but there is always one and that would be Tiddles who was easily confused.  Twerp.

The Gods were not smiling when Tiddles was in the queue for a brain.

I thought he would, unquestioningly, follow Storm.  I was very wrong.  I think Tids is going through “A Phase”.

Anywho, once everyone was in their new field, they quickly settled into the matter in hand.

– Shovel as much food in as possible in the littlest amount of time!

And off to explore.

Just look at Hjalti’s trot.  My jaw hit the floor while I watched him trot in long grass.  A thing of beauty. My photo is pathetic.

This darling little herd are very happy.

So much food and so little time.

They bounced with happiness.

I just wish they were nearer to home.   I adore this herd of happy little persons (ponies probably to some of you, but always family to me).

❤ 🐾  ❤ 🐾  ❤ 🐴   ❤ 🐾 ❤ 🐾   ❤ 🐴   ❤ 🐾 ❤ 🐾   ❤ 🐴   ❤ 🐾 ❤

By the way, bear with me on the Brisk situation. We are Just sorting out a Minion Paypal account. I want everything to be totally transparent, ie what comes in pays for what goes out. Otherwise some folk will have their doubts, stick their knives in and spread negativity. I would hate that.

I am selling sheep fleece via MyShetland Blog to raise money for little Brisk and, if any spare, the Minions.  I will also add any Shetland foal fur too, just probably later.

https://myshetland.co.uk/wool-fur-fleece-for-sale/

Keeping ponies is, at the best of times, an expensive hobby.

Rescuing ponies with special needs, such as being starved during a crucial time of their development or losing a mother far too early, means that there are always bills.  More bills than usual.  I do not have charitable status and the official paperwork makes me feel sick – like a bad maths exam.

We do our best – my whole family.  I would never say no to anything The Minions actually need for their health. I don’t pretend to be a vet and there is no question of scrimping on their care.

So, here we are – a new part of my blog dedicated to raising money for the ever expanding Minions (not expanding in their waistlines, more expanding in quantity).  I am not begging and I am not asking.  I am just telling you what any sale/donation for a pure Shetland sheep fleece will be used for.

You decide if you think it is worth it.

We do.

I am very disappointed with myself.  I do know better and this morning, I was caught out.

As per usual, we went to feed Tor (Mum), Camus (her colt foal) and Brisk (the orphan foal).  The weather was clearing up after last night’s rain.  While there is shelter and grass in the field, Brisk was shivering.  It was horrid to see.  I should’ve thought ahead and realised that he doesn’t enough back-up energy to keep him warm.  Camus and Tor were absolutely fine.

So we brought them all in and separated Brisk.  He had a large bowl of Mulitmilk to himself as well as Foal Creep mixed with Mare and Youngstock hardfeed.

He wolfed it down and I realise now that certain others who, although they are good company, have taken advantage of the extra food and bully Brisk off his ration.  He gets whatever he can, if they let him.  This has to stop.  Tor and Camus do not need extra feed.  From now on, Brisk will be fed separately and I have moved them all into the field with the little shed for proper shelter.

Once, Brisk had finished eating, I put the only rug on that would “fit” him (I use that term loosely).  We put a foil space blanket on him under Toggle’s old rug.

In a ten minutes, Brisk was like toast and much happier.  The shaking and dithering had stopped.

I have also made a decision.  Brisk will stay at Thordale and become a Minion.  If someone offers him the perfect home, then I might consider letting him go but, for the time being and probably future, he is one of us.

The World’s Fattest Me measured him for a proper rug and I will peruse the internet for a tiny waterproof and a padded rug.

BeAnne is fully committed to helping.

So, that’s it.  Brisk will stay here now.  At the moment, he has special needs and requires constant supervision.  I could kick myself for letting him get cold in the rain.  Rookie mistake.

Meanwhile, Lambie came in this morning with blood all over his head.  He has lost his nubbin of a horn.  I cleaned him up and he is now sporting the turquoise spray again.

**** sigh **** Lambie – always speshul!