From Are You Being Served (UK TV Sitcom)- 

Mr. Grainger: Don’t worry if the sleeves are too long, you’ll find they’ll ride up with wear.”

This phrase has passed into everyday usage and reminds most folk of trying on over-sized school uniform just before their first day of secondary school.

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So, today, was quickly deteriorating weather-wise and all I could think of was poor Storm.  A friend, last night, on Facebook had offered me a 3′ 9″ waterproof rug (no fill) and we had arranged for me to get it on Monday but as I looked at the weather forecast, I realised Monday could be too late.  I drove over (2 hours) and collected a beautiful brand new rug.

I called the boys up and separated off Taktur and Storm for their food.

They ended up swapping and sharing with BeAnne carefully monitoring progress.

Little Storm seems to have a different coat from everyone else.  It is longer but not as thick.

Reminds me of last winter’s creation, to be honest.

So I took Storm into the shed and introduced him to his scary purple bat!  After an initial reluctance, I did it all up on the smallest size and I think this is where we say “It will ride up with wear, sir”!

Storm was such a good boy about it.  A little unsure to start off with.

But the weather is closing in fast and he needs it.

Storm was returned to his field with the others.  I was worried they would all point and laugh.  They duly did.

But The Minions jumped the stream leaving the big boys behind.  Our Icelandic horses are not trained to jump so rarely bother.

Once they had worked it out, they all rushed around a bit and then gave up.

And with that, the weather disintegrated but Storm didn’t notice and went on eating grass.

I shall peruse Fleabay for a smaller rug.

3′ 6″ or 3′ 3″?  What do we reckon?

On my travels, I saw a Redwing (Turdus iliacus). I’ve never seen one before and interestingly enough, they are the UK’s smallest true thrush as well as being “routine transients” (someone else’s posh words, not mine!) I looked him up.

So today, though windy, was the day I measured The Minions for their potential winter rugs.  I am not a fan of rugging and believe that nature gave ponies, especially native ones, the coat to get them through any weather.

But this lot, mostly Storm, are different.  They have not had the start they should have had and I don’t know if their health is compromised because of this.  I worry about Storm.  It wouldn’t take much for him to start losing weight and I am going to feed him daily to try and keep the weight on.  The other two, Silver and Waffle, will obviously be regularly assessed and, at present, do not need extra grub.  They are doing fine.  Storm can be fed when Taktur is fed.

I measured them all and they were all very good about it, offering to help including holding the measuring tape.

Then Jo popped round and measured again.  She knows more about horse/pony rugs than me.  Her measurements were 3 inches more and, as she rightly said, better too big than too small.  I like the high neck turnout rugs but can’t find any for their sizes.  I will keep trawling t’net.

Official stats:

Silver is 33″ high and 44″ long (middle of chest to tail)
Waffle is 32″ high and 43″ long
Storm is 31.5″ high and 41′ long

I am dreading winter.  I hope it is not going to be fierce.

My little boys are going to need careful looking after.

I found my little Minion all by himself.  The others had all come up to gaze over the fence at Taktur having his special stallion food.

I hate seeing anyone on their own, so I went to investigate with a carrot.  Storm seemed ok (not brilliant), very damp, and rather subdued.

He does hate walking through the mud while everyone else just gallops through it.

Silver and Waffle were fine and very cheerful, alternating between ignoring each other and then playing together.

Storm didn’t want to know and stood by Haakon, not even trying to annoy him, so something must be up.

Then and there I made the executive decision to move The Minions back into their old paddock where there is their nice dry shed with rubber matting and straw.

I also opened the gate into the bigger park so they can run and run if they want.

I gave them a big haynet and they tried to eat the black string so then I had to show them what to do by pulling out tufts of hay.

They got the idea.

I just want them dry out a bit, especially dear little Storm. He suddenly seems far more vulnerable than the other two.

Storm followed me into the shed and dropped for a nice roll.

He then spied his toys, had a quick play….

And then surveyed his world.  I might buy him a rug for the winter but I fear two small friends might make it their mission to eat it.

When I left, Storm seemed much more cheerful.  I will take them each a big bowl of food tonight before I kiss them goodnight.

I hate seeing my little boy miserable.

I have two ridden Icelandic horses.

I like to school them a couple of times a week.

They are both very different.

Klængur is from Iceland.

I have had him for two years and he is working well, trying his hardest to get things right.  He learned travers (haunches-in or tête au mur) in a lesson with Hamish Cameron the other day.  We practice our lateral work and he concentrates, listens and does his very best.  Today I was very proud of Klængur as he had remembered everything from the lesson.   We are developing a good relationship and I enjoy riding him hugely.

Then there is Haakon.  He is 21 years old and I have had him since he was 3 years old.  We know each other very well.  I originally backed and trained him.  He has really only known me as his rider, though he will tolerate others.

Today I thought I would teach him travers as I had successfully achieved it on Klængur.  Now Haakon is quite good at dressage.  He mostly enjoys it and understands what is needed.

So when I asked him to do this move, he lost his temper completely.  At first I thought it was because I hadn’t explained it properly but he knew what I wanted and just didn’t want to do it.

First his tail started to swish like the rotary blade on a helicopter, then he whizzed round the school setting his neck to ignore me, the final straw was when he reared all 4″ high.  He does this to threaten me thinking I will back off but sadly for him, I didn’t.  After stamping his hoof (yes, he really stamps it like a toddler in a tantrum), he excited a fairly passable travers and I told him he was a good boy.

I think it was when I told him Klængur could do this perfectly without a fuss!

Chalk and cheese – these two Icelandic horses but I love them both.

The end of Hurricane Gonzalo, and we are having a “severe gale”. Enjoy this Revised Shetland Edition of the Beaufort Scale. It makes me smile smugly every time it does the rounds on Facebook.

Anyway, I have moved the horses and ponies to a field with shelter and long grass as it is a northerly and we all hate northerlies.  Cold bitter weather. Instead, I am looking at back at old photos of past glory.

Once upon a time we were a riding, driving and trekking school.

This is Haakon teaching Hannah how to jump.  First you show him the jump.

And then he refuses!  Mwhahaha!

We had horses and ponies of all sizes for our clients.

As well as lessons, we encouraged the sport of horse football.

If we were going out, we took everyone on either a one or two hour trek into the hill.

You can see Daisy (aged11) at the back who rode Andy as we had “sold” her horse to a punter. I remember her being furious with us for this.  Someone might’ve glibly said “well, ride Andy then”, so she stomped off, caught and tacked him up and did.  She still rides him!

This is a very young Flossie driving Andy.  She must’ve been just 9 years old here.  Andy is still going strong. He is loaned out to a family and enjoys wearing children.

Obviously all our horses were rewarded for their constant hard work.  This is Haakon having his 11th birthday cupcake.  Note the lit candle for him to blow out.

Sadly he hated the taste (minus candle) but luckily Celt, who is lurking on the right, hoovered it up on his his behalf.  Celt was good like that!