What can you say when some amazing folk send you some amazing gifts from America.

It was better than Christmas and we had a great time opening our parcel.  Amongst the marvellous treasures were these.  Laugh? We howled.

So then it was obvious what we had to do next.  And we did.  Yup we did.

We had a bit of a forelock dilemma.  In or out?  I think out.

But, I hope you will agree, The Minions wore them better than any human, or mouse, could.

They loved their new wardrobe and didn’t object or mind at all.  And yes, playing in the background, was a great Disney CD.  Did we sing along?  Of course we did!

I think every Shetland pony should have one.

Mandatory uniform.

(I refuse to be stuffy about this!  Brilliant, utterly brilliant)

Daisy and I went to see the “Leddie Bebbies” (Lady Babies) as they are known over here.  That would be Gwendolinda, Lyra, Carina and Zoot – our 3yo, 2yo and 1yo fillies.

They are all absolute darlings with very inquisitive minds for my bag and Daisy’s hat (now hanging on the washing line recovering).

What can I say?  Well, I am so glad we kept these girls.  These are the type we always wanted to breed – exemplary temperaments, looks and big, very very big).  All very kind family or show Shetland ponies who don’t have a mean bone in their body.

While Daisy did sterling work, I went around cutting tails that were dragging along the ground.

Carina was going for the dippy-hippy look and wearing moss in her hair.

Vitamin had taken over from our beautiful Velvereta and has assumed the role of herd leader.

She is still a darling and has a quiet dignity all of her own.  The others listen to her and do whatever she says without argument or fuss.

So Daisy and I made a decision – we would de-tatt (unmat) one revolting filly and do whatever we could to something that was less bad.

(It is best to split an arduous task into little tasks – making the job much more approachable.)

I had a quick chat with Fivla as I cut her extra long dragging tail.

She has always been my fairy-tale Shetland pony.

After all her efforts, Daisy was rewarded by a chat from Carina.

Meanwhile, I was Zooted.  She has turned into a huge bebbie-leddie (and/or a giant moose.)

She has turned overnight into a huge bebbie-leddie (and/or a giant moose.)

I still love her, though!

My OH (other half) and Daisy helped me with the Minions today.  I wanted to have a start at getting the tats out of their coats.

We caught and tied each Minion up to string on a separate hitching post outside and “attacked” them one at a time.

First was Storm.  He was the most revolting and I felt very sorry for him.

Piles of fur was cut out and he was so good about it.  I had the front end to talk to and cajole into behaving. That was my job.

Next was Waffle.  He was very patient and has always loved me grooming him.  He gets so hot when the sun shines that he wants rid of his baby fluff as soon as possible.

The front is tatty and the workers cut it away as much as they could.

Such a good little boy.

There were offers of help and support.

Waffle found the stripping comb.  I removed the stripping comb.

Lastly, it was Silver’s turn.  He had a bit of a tantrum with the clipping.

The others were very busy getting up to no good.

We put out some “toys” to keep the children entertained.

Daisy’s jacket.

Buckets

They love buckets

They really love buckets!

We will do more gradually over the summer.   This is definitely work-in-progress for all three colts.

Daisy and I decided that the Minions (new name for the Bebbies) could meet Iacs. They had already been introduced to Fakur who had been very nice to them, considering some of their appalling previous behaviour.

We kept Taktur, Haakon and Kappi away, behind an electric fence.  It left the situation nicely under control.

So we opened the Minions’ gate and let them meet up outside.

Iacs was very tolerant.

The boys were very eager to reintroduce themselves to Fakur.

He was gentle with them, if they behaved and is a good influence for manners.

Iacs just looked bemused, if a little worried.

As usual, the Minions were obsessed with bottoms …..

http://youtu.be/JHYkH4AHnnQ

Storm adored Fakur.

He stood behind him and gazed in wonderment at this noble beast.

When he grew slightly braver, he decided to see what would happen if….

he let his enquiring mind get the better of him….

So Fakur told him and he learned a valuable lesson.

This is the kind of education that these boys can only learn from their elders and betters.  A herd education is essential otherwise I will have three Thuglets.  Once they are castrated, I will put them in with the herd where the big ones can teach them what they need to know.

Daisy is home from university (St Snotwort’s) for the summer holidays – yay!

Taktur, her stallion, was very pleased to her. We have agreed to share him between us.  I get his bottom and his left nostril and ear to kiss.  Daisy gets the rest.  That is a fair deal, I think.

BeAnne rode her horse for her.

Taktur and I had our regular work-out with our dynamic speed-walk to create some muscle.  It is all about stretching and speed.

BeAnne ZZZZZzzzzzz ed …… as did Iacs.

Then Daisy rode her Iacs.

He was so happy. and attempted his new-found tölt (though minimal) for her.  It will need work but she is up for the challenge.

Then I rode Haakon and Daisy took photos of us.  I seem to have “bitchy resting face” while Haakon is doing his very best. Ok, ok, we are never going to set the world on fire with our tölt but it is comfortable and has a good rhythm.

Next Daisy rode Bjørn’s Kappi round the school.  Kappi and Daisy are good friends from last summer.

As if not exhausted already (apparently she got up to come home at 05:00).  I dragged Daisy off to see the Bebbies and noted, en route, that the orchids are starting.  This heralds the beginning of summer for me.

The Bebbies were pleased to renew their acquaintance with Daisy.

Although utterly revolting from the last two days of constant rain, they managed to be in good spirits and happy to kill each other.

Tomorrow, we are going to attempt to brush them. To be honest, I dread it.  They look repulsive.