Lerwick today because I had to. I didn’t want to (I usually send OH) but there are just some things you have to do yourself so I did.  I am not going again in the foreseeable, I hope.

Anywho, when I came home, everyone was lurking, asking to be fed.  I duly waited on them hand and foot and then let them onto the bit of hard-standing around the house, to give their feet a rest from the mud. It is better for them not to stand in mud 24/7.

I love Iacs’ face.  You can almost see the one brain cell working over-time!  Can you see it, Daisy?  Can you?

Silver has this little streak that makes an occasional appearance.  He likes to annoy.

Little Tiddles – OMFG – beyond sweet.  You can see just how small he is.  Kappi, lying down, is still taller!

There are no words.  Just lots of kisses and some twanging of the bobbles on my hat!

Tiddles smiles.

And then he nods off.

He is just so fluffy – I’m gonna die!

And then Storm had to go and let the side down.  He does like BeAnne but he also likes to “surprise” her.  They play Grandmother’s Footsteps and she pretends to be narky.

So this is the pile of horses sitting outside, eating hay, and being totally gorgeous.  If I didn’t have this blog to write, I would be sitting with them!

My little treasures are coming along well.  They have wintered well.

Cheeky is their middle name.  All of them.

Tiddles is beginning to play, even with the big ones!  I saw him take on Klængur today and then realise he was a bit out of his depth.  Klængur was kind to him and indulged his new behaviour and it was wonderful to watch.  I think Tiddles will be unstoppable once he gets going.  Watching him gallop full-pelt across the field after the others is like seeing a furry caterpillar being shot out of a canon!

Little Storm has discovered his most favourtist food ever.  He loves sugar beet (soaked) on its own.  He would eat buckets and buckets of it.  I am not so sure that is such a good idea but he gets it as a treat and now has a very sticky face, like someone in the sweet shop.

Waffle remains very handsome and an absolute darling.

He is good teacher and a very easy little pony to work with.  Bless him for his grown-up-ness.

So that is an update on The Minions.  They are all very well and very integrated with their herd.  No one has told them they are little boys.  They are just the same size as everyone else.

What is it about The Minions?  I just want to hug them and pet them and squeeze them and call them George forever!

When I popped over yesterday to talk to Hetja and Esja (Day 2 and the nose kisses are going well), I made a detour to see the last of our Shetland pony girls – Lyra, Vitamin and Delia.

They are in need of a brush and some tlc, so I made the decision to bring a brush and do some tidying up today.

I gave Delia (Millhouse Raw Deal – aged 22 years old) a good brush and she was very appreciative.

We had a lovely chat and a cuddle.  What a gentle old soul – I have always adored her.  She was one of our best mothers.

She is really showing her age now and I just wish she had a better podgy bottom.

Next it was Vitamin’s turn.  She is both Lyra and Indy’s (our last stallion, now sold) 20 year old mother.  I gave her a good brush and she was fairly co-operative.  She has wintered well and looks good.  I wish Delia could look this portly.

Lyra lives with her mother as Vitamin had two dead foals before she had Lyra and she loves her more than anything.   Daisy also loves Lyra so she is going nowhere.

Sadly, Lyra loves only Daisy and refused to let me brush her.  She could do with her tail being trimmed as well but, as she would not let me near her, I will leave this chore to her owner (Daisy).  I refuse to run round after Lyra when she is not being helpful.  She managed to walk just a few inches away from my outstretched hand.

She also made “The Face”, as in the “I hate you, because you’re not Daisy” look.  Oooh she is a brat when she wants to be.

I went to see the Icelandic ladies – Hetja and Esja – today in the drizzle.

I don’t know them very well so I am going to try and visit them every day with a carrot in exchange for a chat or a nose kissey.

Hetja is easy to talk to – she is a darling majestic lady, but, at the moment, Esja is more wary of me.

Esja was only 1 years old when I brought her over with the others from Iceland.  She is turning into a fine mare and will be 5 years old this summer.

Her full name is Esja frá Viðinesi IS2011225481.
She has a BLUP of 104 and is hopefully five gaited.

Sire: IS2002186825 – Gammur frá Neðra-Seli (son of IS1986186055 – Orri frá Þúfu í Landeyjum)
Dam: IS2000266010 – Móeiður frá Litla-Hvammi I

Esja will start her training this summer.  We did not back her (I hate the word break) earlier because we didn’t think she was mature enough, both mentally and physically.  She has filled out now and looks superb.

Hetja is due hopefully to foal at the end of June or July.  We will know nearer the time.  I am very excited.

So that is the plan.  They both look fabulous thanks to Jo’s care and I am going to continue to slowly make their acquaintance and get to know them.

I went out this morning to see this!

Haakon, aged 21 this year playing with Taktur, aged 6 this year!

I think Haakon started it.

And I think Taktur was very happy to join in.

(At this point, Haakon was a bit embarrassed and also a bit stuck.  He managed to shuffle off somehow!)

And then they piled in again.

I love watching the boys play.  It makes me realise that they are a strong little herd who have a great deal of time for each other.

Seconds later, after playing roughly with Haakon, Taktur was eating with Storm and they are the best of friends. Taktur wouldn’t dream of playing roughly with Storm like this but still endures endless nibbling from the Minions.

Even the most pathetic are with the strongest and no one is horrid or bullying.

And that, for me, is perfect.