I went to Scalloway this morning to help out a friend.

While I was there, I was given the opportunity to photograph some miniature Shetland pony stallions from the famous Berry Stud.

I helped move them into this new field that had lots of long grass for them.

At one stage, all you could see was the tips of their ear as they tried to bounce through it.

Being stallions (3 brothers and a new one), there was a huge amount of squealing and investigation too.

I managed to take some lovely photos and I hope you like them too.

My socks, boots and jeans are now in front of the Rayburn getting dry but it was definitely worth it for these photos.

My little boy is growing up fast.

I haven’t seen Hjalti for a while (the one car situation) but he remains utterly gorgeous.

His Mummy, Hetja, still won’t let him talk to the other mare and her colt foal – not yet, though apparently they came close this morning.  You can’t force these things and who can blame Hetja for wanting to keep Hjalti around her at all times.

Anyway, he doesn’t want to stray too far from the bar!

Hjalti is an inquisitive chap, mostly about people and their terrier and I was given a perfunctory snuffle, while BeAnne quickly retreated to safety…..

….. before he went back to the serious task of eating (I may be in love with his very hairy little chin now).

But then again, he has to-die-for eyes.

And a lovely smile!

I think we could say that Hetja is doing very well and has not lost even a smidgeon of her pregnancy weight.

She looks more pregnant now than before she gave birth!

It was a lovely sunny Sunday afternoon sitting in the field watching Hetja and Hjalti together.

This is the luscious Alex – a 7 year old mushroom coloured miniature Shetland pony stallion who is gorgeous as well as a gentleman.  He is 32″ or 81cm.

I spent yesterday afternoon gazing in awe at him.

Alex has the most amazing long mane which he likes to throw about all day.

But what a mane.  Wow.

Best of all, Alex is a dude. He likes everyone.

If only all Shetland ponies were this ridiculously good-looking!

(and this year, he has been running with the “fairy tale” mares.  I can’t wait to meet the bebbies next year!)

Sometimes it is good to hear “Are you doing anything today?” and off I set off with my camera happy to go new places and meet Shetland ponies

As it is now late in the evening, I won’t waffle on forever but let you enjoy the photos from today of some lovely Shetland ponies.

These first two are of the “fairy tale” mares.  Beautiful girls to work with and be around.

Then off to the Stallion/Colt field where a herd of jokers lived all jockeying for the top job.  This is Waffle’s Sire and all I can hope is that The Waff is a late maturer because, at the moment, he bears absolutely no resemblance at all to his Dad!

A bit of a San Francisco moment for a miniature stallion.

Grand National anyone?

The very essence of beauty.

I love stallions. They are so comical and very expressive.

They never stop talking to each other.  Glass half full type of chaps.  Every one of them.

Endless hours of endless entertainment being endlessly annoying!

Night, night x

I let Tiddles and his bezzie, Storm, out into the bit around the house.  They thought I was being nice but I will admit I had an ulterior motive.

I wanted to get rid of the last of Tiddles’ matted foal coat.  So I tied him up in the shed, where he proceeded to have a tantrum, and I brushed him.

We had a bit of a discussion about his mane and the mats that had attached themselves to the forelock.

This discussion consisted of Tiddles rearing as much as he could every time I went near the bit behind his ears or under his mane.  He resembled a stroppy chess piece and, as he was tied up, I just ignored him and persevered with my brushing, occasionally telling him to stop being silly and that absolutely no one had ever died from having their hair brushed.  Not even Andrew.

Tiddles eventually gave up when he realised I wasn’t going to give in.

And now look, isn’t he gorgeous?  We don’t the use the spotty word in the registered Shetland pony world.  Tiddles is skewbald (with a bit of a spotty bot).

Anyway, I have achieved and that is the final brush of the foal coat to come out.  I did promise him that was it.  The last little bits will drop out on their own.

There was a carroty reward for both and then I put them back in the field so the others could laugh and point.