Jo came over with Tór and we happened to have his half brother, Taktur, in the stables.

It seemed a good idea to introduce them to each other – something I have been wanting to do for a while.

Taktur was very interested to see his half-brother, who is 2 years younger.  They share the same mother, Tíbrá frá Hafnarfirði.

Taktur frá Velli II (IS2009180242) – 5 year old stallion
Sire:  IS1991157345 – Hugi frá Hafsteinsstöðum
Dam:  IS2000225599 – Tíbrá frá Hafnarfirði

Tór frá Velli II (IS2011180241) – 3 year old COLT
Sire:  IS1999187590 – Flipi frá Litlu-Sandvík
Dam:  IS2000225599 – Tíbrá frá Hafnarfirði

And I wonder if they knew they were related?

This was “First Contact”.

Then they found something in common – love of the hay corner.

Then, as social customs demand,they got to know each other.  Well, Taktur followed his half-brother around the indoor school offering to show him the sights.

It was lovely to see these two boys together and Taktur was very keen for Tór to stay so he could show him the blue goldfish.

Sadly Tór’s Mum took him back home and Taktur’s Mum (me) told him a few home truths about doing as he was told even if herds of wildebeest sweep majestically across the plain.  Once the headcollar is clipped to the lead-rope, all bets are off and Wembley behaviour is a must.

Jo came over to shoe the boys,  Haakon and Iacs.

When she arrived, the four Minions were already milling about outside having just been fed.

As you can see, Tiddles goes everywhere with Storm.  They are inseperable and this morning, I noticed Storm waiting for Tiddles to catch up when they were coming down from their field.  Tiddles is very unsteady on his feet and walks carefully and slowly everywhere.

Storm, being Tiddles’ Supreme Commander, showed him how to go through any new things that had been carefully laid out for a project.  The perfect example being Jo’s kit for shoeing, all set up where she could find it quickly and easily, or so she thought.

Storm showed Tiddles the importance of putting things in the right place or “rearranging” as he calls it.

He then bit everything to see if Jo had in fact fashioned horse food into horseshoes shapes.

Afterwards Tiddles went to introduce himself to Haakon, who has never been a huge Minion fan.

Nuncle N-Iacs did some baby-sitting too.

And then joy of joys, a man up a ladder.  To be fair, they didn’t touch, just observed to get it right for a later date!

Tiddles has been with us for 5 weeks now (he arrived on 24th November – I’ve just looked back). This is him on Day 1 being introduced to Storm.

Since then, he has been wormed twice (nil count yesterday) and had regular daily meals of hard food, a selection of warm dry waterproof rugs, shelter, a 30 acre field and ad lib hay.

And, today, I think I can see a difference.  As well as his shape, it is in his eyes.  He is interested in his surroundings.  He interacts with the others and is starting to investigate.

Of course having his Big Nuncle Storm around helps.  He follows Storm about religiously.  They are not separated and Storm has given up being Pol Pot, which has helped their relationship.

Things I have discovered about Tiddles – he is determined, he still bucks but I can pick up each of his feet one at a time now, he loves his bum being scratched and he is what I would describe “slow and steady”.  He does not hurry for anyone.

There is a definite difference and of course now he is “One of Us”.

I left a camera on while I went to muck out their shed to see what they get up to in my absence.

And then I slowed down a section and noticed that Tiddles was playing for the first time. I realise that to some it might look like nothing is happening but it is a tiny flicker of interest and that is enough for me to realise he is changing.

Yes, it brought tears to my eyes.

Apparently you get one horse in your life who is The Horse.

This is my best boy, Haakon from Camster.  His birthday is on 10th May and he was born in 1994 so he is 21 this year.  I have had him since he was 3 years old and backed and trained him myself.  He failed his vetting when I purchased him due to the fact that the vet could not get near him and he stood on his hind-legs all the time – apparently this is why he was gelded too.

We go along way back and it was not easy but he is my best boy and my oldest friend.  When he first arrived, he had just been gelded and was a serving stallion (more by accident than by design).  He has progeny – Frilla from Camster and a grand-daughter, Elska from Vine.

His BLUP is 81 (stop laughing please).  He can tölt and flying pace and I have only ever seen him trot once.

His Sire is Abel from Rickarton and his Dam is Flora from Camster.

Here are some photos from yesterday.

He is still just as handsome as the day I first met him off the boat when he was 3 years old.

I have always loved his ears.

And his kind, expressive eye.  He knows his name and his left and right!

Iacs is his cousin.  They have the same grandmother.  Apart from that, they are chalk and cheese.

I am very lucky.  The Gods smiled and let me have a second best boy.  Klængur.  We are working hard on our relationship and, though a slow process, he is a good friend.  I have never met a more loving horse.  He is very affectionate and takes the world on his shoulders to worry about.

Both are very special Icelandic horses in my life.  I never thought I would find another; not to replace Haakon but to give me different challenges to rise to.

Lyra spotted her best friend and came from far away in her ginormous field to say hello.

She has always adored just one person in her life – my eldest daughter, Daisy.

Ever since she was a foal, Lyra has let Daisy catch her, play with her and do anything.  The rest of us are always on the edge and mildly tolerated.

But Daisy is Lyra’s special person.  I find Shetland ponies are very good judges of character.

I am glad we kept Lyra back.  Daisy begged us too and she is right.  I think Lyra would be unhappy without her Daisy.

Lyra is a pretty girl and very like her mother as well as her half-brother, Indy.  She is starting to look very much like her mum, Vitamin, who is down at Jo’s stables keeping Delia company.  Apparently Vitamin and Delia like the idea of regular feeds, a big field with a stable if required.  They have quite taken to home life.

Anywho, have a happy New Year and see you all next year. xx