Another windy day (as in gusting 50mph gale) so after mucking out 9 horses/ponies, I wanted to go for a walk and straighten my back up.

The dogs and I needed a change of scenery too.  Off we went to Sandness beach.

The wind was hitting the sea straight on so, although there were no big waves, there was some impressive sea spray being blown backwards.

The tide also seemed very high and I found myself standing in the sea foam on a few occasions.

We had the beach to ourselves, which is always nice.  It was loud, wet and windy and when I lost the feeling my fingers from the cold, we went back home having been thoroughly buffeted about.  Good for the soul.

On our way home, I saw a pair of Whooper Swans (Cygnus cygnus) walking across the road towards the loch.

I managed to grab my camera just as they had reached their destination.  If it had been less windy, I would’ve left the car and observed them for longer.  I rather like swans though everyone knows they can “break a man’s arm!”

Home and lunch and everyone except Haakon, Storm and Tiddles, were out in the field grazing.  Haakon and his companions-of-the-day were confined to the stable.  Haakon is on daily antibiotics and analgesia now.  Let’s see if that helps.

Then the weather disintegrated and I happened to mention did anyone want to perhaps come in … and gallop, the whole lot had wedged themselves into their shed.

I didn’t have to ask twice!

Transition Turriefield, aka Alan and Penny, are getting a horse to help them with the ploughing around their croft.

They have recently been going south to learn which bit goes where and why but wanted some extra long-reining practice.

We offered them Klængur, as I used to long-rein him everywhere rather than ride him.  We omitted to tell them that Klængur had never actually worn harness before as we trusted him not to mention it either, which of course he didn’t.

And Mr Bimble (aka Iacs) as he used to long-rein when we were teaching him how to pull a cart.  Sadly the cart bit never happened as he took a hatred.

We would’ve used Haakon, who is an expert ‘carthorse’ in his spare time, but he is still off sick.

Jo showed Penny and Alan how to harness up Klængur (although his breast collar was a bit high up, but it is only for long-reining so it is fine) and then we stood back and let them work out how to harness up Mr Bimble.

And off they went.

A horse each.

Round the school.

They were getting on very well with their respective horses.

We set out an obstacle course.

And then we told them to swap horses!

Because we are mean like that.

Iacs was the best and most helpful.  He enjoyed wandering round and round. Iacs is a bit of a goldfish – a 3 second memory.

Once Penny or Alan had decided that they were not being led but doing the instruction, everything sorted itself out and they were going round like pros.

We are all really looking forward to meeting their professional ploughing horse!

Spring is on its way and today made a very faint appearance before it is snatched away from us tomorrow with another huge impending storm!

I know this because the oyster catchers (shalders) have returned.

As I had a flute lesson this morning, I quickly chucked everyone out after their breakfast, into the big field that is half grass and half hill-type grazing.

I went to visit them this afternoon while I walking the dogs,

The herd are all very good friends and seem settled together.

I wonder if the Minions think they are smaller than the others?  I don’t actually think so.

They are never bullied or pushed out by the big boys.  A Minion will happily push his way through a pile of legs and I have even seen a certain small white-ish one even go under a belly to get what he wanted!

Best of all was watching Haakon with Tiddles.  Now this was not a sight I was expecting to see.

Haakon is the head of the herd and I would say Tiddles is at the bottom in the pecking order.

I consider this serious bravery from Tiddles as Haakon can be a bit of an old dinosaur when he wants.

Darling Tiddles has obviously charmed everyone.  His determination at being “one of the boys but with no playing, please”, has worked.  Even though he is Tail-End Charlie, he slowly trundles at the back along being totally cute and cuddly.

What is not to love?

First, just to clear things up – A Neep for me is a swede, not a turnip.

Anyway, it is blowing a gale outside (gusting over 50 mph) and there was a mutiny about going outside to stand in muddy fields.

As that well known saying goes, “you can lead a horse to mud, but you can’t make him wade through it” or something similar.  I forget.

Haakon hates being cooped up all day and he still needs to be on dry ground, so I gave him a private haynet that no one else knew about.  He was very appreciative and munched as silently as he could.

I opened the stable door so that those who wanted to could have free access to the silage bale, as long as they promised on their honour not to pee on the floor, chew the carts, unwrap the shavings or throw the dry rugs about.

On the otherside of the shed, I hung a neep.  Iacs whirled it round his head for a while and made himself boggly eyed.

Then he remembered how to deal with this uncooperative vegetable.  With the help of a few Minions, they could all work together and have a bit.  At first it was a bit like watching Bar Skittles – ie everytime Iacs made a grab for the neep, it swung away violently and hit a Minion on the head!

Iacs had to keep reminding himself that he needed Minion help and that by himself he would only get the whole thing in his mouth and possibly stuck!

There were two clean-up crews at the ready for any bits that needed clearing.

Once they had it under their control, the boys made short work of the neep.

Everyone shared very nicely.

Kappi and Waffle made an excellent efficient team.

The neep quickly disappeared.

Because, we all know, there is nothing like a good neep.

I’ve been having a wonderful time recently riding my little ginger ninja, Klængur, in the school (please excuse my Bitchy Resting Face, lack of the correct attire as well as dodgy leg and hand position).

I had sort of forgotten about riding in the indoor school because Klængur and I like accompanying Bjørn when he rides Taktur outside.

Also, my day is taken up with mucking out, sweeping up, feeding Taktur his Handsome Prince food, Minions their speshul food, Haakon his hoofy food, trying not to feed Iacs, Klængur and Kappi too much food, taking off rugs, putting rugs on, soaking feet, poulticing, putting out more silage, removing pee’ed on silage, evicting chickens, evicting Minions and kissing all helpful noseys.

At the end of that, I have rather come to the end of my day without actually riding on any horse at all!

Anywho, I am really enjoying riding Klængur.  He is a pocket rocket when I ask and I trust him 100% to look after me.  I am very proud of this little chap.  He has come a very long way, in more ways that one, and I love him to bits.

Roll on Spring, please. I want to get out more and have some fun.