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.

My poor, poor Haakon is still very lame.

From the tip of his hoof, Jo dug out a black tar like abscess that stunk beyond all known things.  Back to the daily soaking and poulticing but I suppose at least we know where it is and how to get it out.

Poor love can hardly walk so he stays in his stable with his friend and relation, Iacs.

To be honest, looking at the way Haakon walks, I am wondering if we will find something else in his other foot too of similar description.

Haakon, as ever, is being very stoical.  He is careful and accepts that he can’t go anywhere.  All the doors are left wide open to give him fresh air (so important, imho), and yet he doesn’t leave and stays where he is most comfortable.

As a reward for his good behaviour, I give him what he likes most – hay.  He loves hay and has gone off silage so I make him haynets to keep him occupied and happy.

While he is standing in his bucket of hot water, I groom him too.  He likes this and often just goes to sleep with his head low while I brush.

I visit him often, mostly to refill the haynet, but to talk to him and he knows he is not forgotten.

Today, the others let themselves out into the big field and I will call them home later as Taktur has to be trained, the Minions have to bath, change into their jammies, clean their teeth and then bed and no, not one more story, Storm, I said bed!

Many years ago, I purchased on a whim an antique wicker basket saddle from Fleabay.  It was subsequently stored in a corner of the shed for ages.

BeAnne has sat in it a few times and today I discovered that her bottom was not as big as I thought and again she fitted a treat.

Waffle was volunteered as he is the kindest and least devious of The Minions.  He was interested in this new career development as BeAnne’s noble steed.

I started slowly, so Waffle could get used to the feeling of the basket saddle and saddle cloth on his back.  I will do the crupper up, or take it off, another day, if the basket saddle and BeAnne need it.

Her Maj, aka BeAnne, sat with all the aplomb of someone who regularly rides Shetland ponies in basket saddles!  To the manor born.  She is such a natural and Waffle is the perfect size.

So that is what I did today, this filthy rainy windy, as in gale force, day.

Dearest Waffle – I feel there is a career here.

And now poor Hetja (pronounced Hett-ya – Icelandic for hero) has come down with a hoof abscess too.  She is hopping lame and so has started the standing-in-hot-water and poultice method.

Hetja hates being indoors but this is now a necessity.  We were told not to put her in a stable when we first met her in Iceland.  Needs must, though, with an abscess and Hetja doesn’t fret if she has a friend with her.  Today it is Fákur’s turn.  They are both living together in a huge double stable so can walk about and Hetja won’t feel trapped or anxious.

Hetja has also been confirmed as pregnant, though it is anyone’s guess where she is keeping it.  That is not a pregnant looking belly by our Shetland pony standards – they are usually square by now.

Poor Hetja.  I hate it when anyone is not well.  Please do not think these hoof abscesses are due to total lack of care and mismanagement.  They are not.  Usually we have had a few hard frosts  and/or snow by now but it has been consistently too warm and all the bugs in the soil are affecting hooves.  We are not the only stud to have hoof abscesses occur out of nowhere.

Hetja is not shod at present so it is not a case for the barefoot or non-barefoot brigade.  We tend to shoe a horse according to its’ work requirements at the present time.

Anyway, as well as having Fákur for company, Hetja has the two hens from obviously from Abba  who are insiting on practising their old dance routine in case they have a comeback!

You can see Hetja is entranced – a true Abba fan then!  I never knew.

Oh well, it will keep her mind off her painful hoof.