Stuart Huggan, our equi-dentist, came over today to see the Icelandic horses.

First up was Taktur, our stallion, but as I was holding him, there was no one to man the camera. He was a good boy, though, and took it all in his stride.

We did bring him some moral support, but they were too busy to take an interest.  Probably just as well.

Next up was Kappi.  He has never, to our knowledge, seen a dentist and he was beautifully behaved.

As Stuart doesn’t come up to Shetland very often, I asked if he had time to see a few more…..

I love Haakon’s face. He knows he is next in the dentist’s queue and I am ashamed to say that, out of all of the horses, he made the most fuss by rearing a few times – at least 4″ off the ground.

BeAnne took to her bed in disgust.

Iacs didn’t mind Stuart in the slightest.  Anything that might help the passage of food go down faster or easier is considered a necessity in his book.  No pain, no gain!

Klængur was another wary one but, as I was there and he trusts me 100%, he had perfect manners.

Stuart was kind enough to say that my horses were easy and very well behaved.  All I could think was thank God, I hadn’t got the Minions out!  I will save them for another time.

Afterwards, I took arty-farty photos of Haakon with the garden lupins (don’t worry, he can’t reach or eat them – they are much further away than they look).

BeAnne had a windswept moment so I captured that too.

This was take just standing in the garden! How the Shetland wind always blows!

Since Taktur and Kappi’s return from the IHSGB British Championships in Edinburgh, they have been kept in another field away from the herd  with no contact between them.

Taktur minded very much and spent most of day gazing over his fence at the others obviously wishing he was there.  I also noticed that Haakon, yesterday, just stared back at him across the hill.

But we had to be sure that no contagious diseases had been brought back from south.

Today, the quarantine was over and we put them all together again.

I called Klaengur, Haakon, Iacs, and The Minions over (small dots on the horizon).

We let Taktur and Kappi into their field and Taktur couldn’t believe his luck.

He didn’t need to be asked twice and off he went to see his friends.

Kappi quickly followed too.

And everyone came rushing over to greet them.

They are a very close group as well as being great friends.  There are two entire boys in this herd and no one cares.

Even the little Minions are considered equal to everyone else.

The Minions had missed their idol.

Especially Waffle.  He had no one to look up to (or bite).

(and I think Taktur secretly missed his Mini-me, though I doubt he would admit it having now “seen the world”, ok Scotland!)

Interestingly enough, Kappi wanted to talk and groom Haakon.  Now this is strange because usually they are not the best of friends.  Kappi is always vying for Haakon’s position in the herd as leader but they were pleased to see each other so maybe Haakon has secretly been missing his orange nemesis.

Anyway, all my boys are back together and that is best for everyone.

OH was working on the Land Rover after its long trip south.

(or should that be Lamb Drover – see what DAISY did there, geddit?)

Yes, that would be DAISY.  She was on top form today.

She also said it had 4 wool drive!

All the seats were removed for this immense project.

When OH went into the house to get some essential piece of kit….

…. he was followed by two devoted “oily rags”.

Please blame Daisy for all these jokes.  Not me.  She is entirely responsible.  I know nothing.

So, the sun was shining briefly and then the mist descended.  Everyone was around the outside of the house (though Kappi and Taktur are still in quarantine for a few more days) as I think we have not nearly had enough Minion time this summer.  They duly made themselves known and came up for hugs, nose-kisses and scratching.

This is a typical Sunday afternoon for us

– in as much as we all sit in the buttercups and watch OH, plus anyone who wants to offer their help.

Do you think Haakon is saying “you’re doing that wrong”?

Here are a few photos from the Icelandic Horse Society of Great Britain British Championships and Summer Festival.

This time, two weeks ago, we were competing.  When I say “we”, I mean Daisy on Kappi and Bjørn on Taktur and me on photographs!

The Championship took place over two days in West Linton, just outside Edinburgh and there was an excellent, as well as vocal, turnout from Shetland to cheer the Shetland contingent on.  At one stage, there were 14 Shetland folk. I like to think that everyone will remember us and we certainly put Shetland on the Icelandic horse map (and perhaps pub/hotel map).

The weather was a bit “curate’s egg”.  For us, it was a normal summer……

For everyone else, they huddled!

Even when it hailed.

When it was fine, the spectators sat on the bank and enjoyed the riding and horsemanship.

The judges and their helpers took their job very seriously!

The commentary was professional.

For Taktur, this was a completely new experience. He has never been anywhere and he did his best to behave.  For a first timer, just 6 years old, he was amazing.  He went for the experience rather than any achievement.  Taktur and Bjorn are now ranked 7th in Sport A Four Gait in the whole of Britain!

Daisy and Kappi were brilliant (I am running out of adjectives).

She came 2nd in the Elementary Four Gait and 1st in the Elementary Tölt – she is now ranked Number 1 in Great Britain in Elementary Tölt!

So it was a great weekend.  We achieved.

Well when I say “we”, I mean Daisy on Kappi and Bjørn on Taktur and me on photographs!

We have had two consecutive nights of thunderstorms with some fairly determined lightning.  BeAnne hates it and with the first crack, she jumps onto the bed, shaking, panting and looking wild.  Nothing we do makes her better so she just stays next to me and eventually falls asleep.  It is very exhausting for us all.  We look a bit bleary eyed the next morning after her panic attacks.

Loki is coming along leaps and bounds.  He is much happier now the worry of Jack is no more.  He even almost plays with BeAnne until she ruins it.  We have him 2 years now and he is a very different dog from the one Daisy and I collected from Elgin.

Dare I say it, he is even more obedient than BeAnne (which is not particularly difficult since she is a Patterdale terrier and never comes when she is called but just happens to “be in the area”.)

It is very hot today, and the Shetland ponies hate it.  Waffle is miserable (being black, he absorbs the heat) and I commiserated with him. I hate it too.

Storm and Tiddles have sunscreen and Sudocreme on their noses.

Tiddles is changing.  His face is much narrower and he is turning into a proper pony – not a “fluffy” anymore.

So this afternoon I walked the dogs in the long grass and then sat with the Lambs for a while.  They are still very sweet and tame.  Their main aim is to be with us at all times.  The dogs are much better behaved – long may that last.

(Lambie is still my special little boy and always will be.)

A downside, though is that Lambie is rather lazy and wants to be fetched if Lambert leaves him to come and talk to us!)