I want Foalie to have a friend.  He is beginning to bounce and annoy Hetja, his long-suffering mother.

So I asked Bjørn if I could borrow a standard Shetland mare and colt foal for Foalie.  We took the beautiful Aria and her son around yesterday evening.

Hetja was very unimpressed with my brilliant idea.

She was a cowbag.

Little Foalie, however, was desperate to talk to his new potential friend.

For a while we were hopeful that this was a good plan and all would be well.

But Hetja would have none of it.

Last night, I received a message from Jo saying that she had to split them up as Hetja would not give up her cowbag status.  Not good.  The foals now would get to know each other with a fence between them.

We went over this afternoon to find everyone together again and a tentative peace reigning.

Hetja had given up chasing and apparently had knocked down the fence between the two families.

While Daisy fed carrots to Hetja and chatted to Foalie, I went over to see Aria.  She was fine, a few bites but nothing worrying.  I fed her a carrot and told her to see how things go.

We will constantly monitor the situation. I think, and desperately hope, that the the boys will make friends and the mothers will leave them to it while concentrating on the more important matters like eating.

To be honest, I was surprised at Hetja’s cowbagness but Foalie is her first foal and she loves him to bits.  She will calm down, eventually!

We may never set the world on fire but who cares.

We do what we do, ie rescue those that need us and give them a job, some self respect and make them feel loved.

(The Minions taking it upon themselves to “guard” their stallion, Taktur, against any marauding local tigers.)

My horse, Haakon, has been my best friend for over 18 years.  I would be lost without him and he is still just the same as always. He never changes.

He only has to flick those beautiful black trimmed ears, I melt and give him the world.

The workforce!  Ok, some of the workforce but that is how we role in this Shire.  Relaxed, happy and we all get on.

To many, Lambert and Lambie are just orphan sheep who would make nice rugs (yes, it has been said, often), better off dead and are no use to anyone.

To me, they are my boys and I love them very much, would give them the world and they are part of my family.  My motto is “whatever it takes” as I took them on as my responsibility.  That is what Family means.

Folk seriously under-estimate sheep and they make the best faithful loyal pets.

And when your daughter says she wants a new pony because she is bored of the one you gave her when she was eight, show her this photo.  Daisy would never trade Iacs in for a better one.  He has been her’s since she was little and nothing has changed.  They are a team.  Forever.

Yup, so no surprises, no nothing, just us…… That is how we are.  Simple and ordinary.

Still no name.

Still adorable.

Still listening to his mother.

Still nosey.

Still divine.

Still tickly.

Still strong.

Still utterly enchanting!

(and still some more photos, just because I can!)

Hetja is looking very good – motherhood obviously suits her.

This is the sight that greeted me from the end of my garden.

Three little boys fast a-bye-byes in the long buttercups.

I wandered quietly about with my camera to see various horses having a rest from the stresses and strains of everyday life trying not to disturb anyone.

Iacs was with Kappi.

Haakon was with Klaengur.

I was a little concerned as I could not immediately see Tiddles but I found him slightly further up the field having a kip.

Silver immediately got up to say hello.

And then Tiddles though they were still very sleepy boys.  Like toddlers after a daytime nap.

Taktur was also missing but I quickly realised he was on sentry duty in his hut, with only some chickens as friends.

This was not a shed built for horses but they all love it and take it in turns (or not) to squeeze themselves into it with no fighting or guarding.

Meanwhile, all my creeping about with my camera had not woken Storm and Waffle even slightly.

Dear little Storm had the most blissful smile on his face as he slept.

I wonder what he was dreaming about?

Don’t you just wish some days that you could bottle an incredible feeling and every time you are feeling down, have a sniff and feel wonderful all over again?

I received a surprise parcel in the post yesterday – some photos and film of the Icelandic Horse of Great Britain 2015 British Championships.

Included was a lovely film of Daisy riding in the Elementary Tölt Finals (so proud ** sniff **).

Seeing it all over again, through a spectator’s eyes made me remember how nervous I was, on Daisy’s behalf, and how wonderful when Daisy’s name was called giving the winning title.

Her smile says everything and all the hard work everyone has invested in her and Kappi has paid off.

In the film, Daisy’s trainer, Bjørn runs onto the track and gives Daisy a Shetland flag.

Daisy does her winner’s round with it in her boot, proudly representing the Icelandic horses from Shetland.

I just wanted to share with you (again) someone else’s point of view of Daisy’s amazing achievement on Kappi.

She is now ranked No 1 in Britain in Elementary Tölt Class (ETT8)

We are all very proud of her (especially me, **** sniff **** )