Once, or even twice, a year, I brush the Minions.

They are not helpful and they don’t like it but needs must.

Tiddles was first and he had one of his meltdowns about his ears or forelock being brushed.  I managed to convince him that, despite what he thought, no one had actually died having their forelock brushed.  Grudgingly, Tiddles gave in.  He is now sporting a very fetching froufrou forelock.

I brushed everyone’s manes, tails, bellies and legs.

I think my little boys  looked beautiful in the Spring sunshine.

Someone told me a pony should have an “apple bottom”.  Storm has a lovely one.

His front end is not bad either (I think this was taken before I took the brush to him – Storm likes to wear his food so is a bit crunchy around the ears).

Talking of sheep…… (I know, isn’t Lambie the very definition of perfection?)

I found Silver talking to ‘Ster while he was waiting for his turn to be brushed.

‘Ster could run off if he wanted but he likes the ponies and enjoys playing their games, even the chewing-his-horns game.  At one stage, he was being chased round the school by Storm.  Both were giggling and ‘Ster was bouncing.

Spring is finally putting in an appearance.  I know this because everyone (even Iacs after a little persuasion) left the Temple of the Bale (all hail) and went down to the bottom field to eat grass.

Happy days x

We came back from a dog walk and I noticed there was a funny smell following me about.

I pinpointed the culprit when BeAnne came and sat next to me. The most noxious fumes wafted up to my nose.  I nearly passed out.  All fingers pointed at BeAnne Duvet.

Bathing BeAnne is a always huge deal for my back and involves both a mental and physical battle with much determination on both sides!

So, as it was a nice day, I took BeAnne down to Fleurad burn that runs through the fields.

Since it had rained profusely the night before, the burn was moving very fast

To start with, I thought BeAnne probably wouldn’t swim because of the swift current but no, I was wrong.  We threw bits of wood from an old leftover fence/wood pile and BeAnne happily jumped after them.

And then BeAnne rolled so all my good work trying to get her to smell a bit better was for nothing.  Now BeAnne stunk of something different – probably otter.  Luffley!

So I gave up.

Floss, my youngest daughter, had a riding lesson with Hamish Cameron, who is visiting Shetland for the weekend.

Although Floss has regular lessons from our trainer, Bjørn Roar Larsen, it is always good to learn from others.

So, after I had packed vegetables all afternoon for Transition Turrifield, I piled Klængur and Flossie into the horse-van and drove them to where Hamish was giving lessons.

Hamish asked me if Klængur would have a hissy fit at his new schooling environment.  The best I could do was to shrug (in a nonchalent Gallic way) and say “Dunno.  Expect we will find out” whilst praying to the Gods that he behaved for Floss’ sake and for everyone else’s.

Of course, I need not have worried.  Klængur was wonderful and did his absolute best for Flossie.

I had told Hamish that Floss had only been riding for 6 months – she started riding, remember, when she came back from Beijing in August last year.

She and Klængur were one.  It was lovely to watch.

She listened, Klængur listened and they achieved.

What a team – a strong team.

And then Klængur  trotted and everyone sat back and watched.

Dammit, Klængur’s trot is wonderful.  Dammit, Floss’ riding was good and dammit, I am very jealous.

They both did good and I was so proud of Flossie and Klængur .  For only six months’ riding, Floss is doing brilliantly.  I credit Bjørn Roar Larsen and without him, we are nothing.

And also a huge thank you to Hamish too.  He helped Floss and Klaengur a lot.

proud mother alert…. Sniff.

Bergli Stud, my neighbour, have had their first foal.  Of course, I had to go over with my camera.  Just try and stop me.

There, behind the wall, was a miniature skewbald filly foal called “Tilly”.

Sire: Tibru of Berry
Dam: Kutie of Houlland

So some very old Shetland pony breedlines there and very a nice combination too.

Tilly was born this morning.  She was expected but not quite today – a little early but a wonderful surprise, none the less.

Floss and I went to visit Tilly and Kutie and quickly fell in love.

Now, Floss and I need to work on some distraction techniques so we can steal Tilly away.

She has already started tölting so will quickly fit in with my herd.

No one will even know she is with us (she already tölts better than some Icelandic horses I know).

Anyway, Tilly is heaven with whiskers.

We luff the whiskers and the expressive eyes.

When I see any young animal stretch out, I always say to myself “stretch and grow, stretch and grow”.

Anyway, welcome to the world, Bergli Tilly.  You are divine and very special.

Anni Stonebridge, saddle fitter, was up in Shetland and had been booked, by her owner, to come to see Esja.

I just stood on the edge, watching and taking photos.

The Boysenberries were also present, offering their support as well as their unique type of expertise (just in case, because you never know when you will need two sheep while you fit a saddle and no, I do not mean sheepskin lined saddlecloths – that would be morally wrong!)

Anywho, there was much expertise going on and we all watched.

Tt resulted in Anni saying that Klængur’s Black Country Frelsi was the best saddle for Esja, at this moment in time.  Esja is young and she may change shape as she develops and is ridden.

Esja agreed with everything Anni said, taking a interest in the whole saddle-fitting process.

Ster just looked on, just checking everything was going right…..

….. while Lambie mentally added his two penn’orth (two pence worth).   He knows these things – ever the expert.

Anni gave Esja and her owner a brief riding lesson – Esja is going very nicely with her new owner.  They have a good relationship and it is lovely to watch this grow.