Back in the saddle for us all.

While everyone else went out on their horses, I warmed up Haakon in the indoor school ready for a quick impromptu lesson.  Our tölt is very flat and I needed help.

I was told that it all starts with the outline so we worked on that first.

Then Bjørn rode him to get the feel of Haakon. He hasn’t ridden him for a while and of course instantly Haakon went beautifully.  I was very envious.

Meanwhile, BeAnne was helping Taktur.  We caught her “helping” a lot.  Norty little girl.

Then I got back on Haakon and off we went again – our tölt hugely improved.  I have much to work on, I can see, and we will practice, practice, practice.

During the cool-down, I let BeAnne up for a ride too.  She had been asking nicely and we did a few laps together.

A reward snack for Haakon while BeAnne had a rest.

Like most little girls, I think she dreams of riding ponies!

(now starts to wonder whether a Minion could be bribed when a bit older!)

It was pouring with rain today (good for the grass but bad for The Minions).  They are still not  built for rain yet and I found them in their shed looking bored.  I don’t think they have the ability yet to stay as warm as other Shetland ponies of similar age and they always use their shed when it rains.  I will muck it out tomorrow.  Typical lazy boys – they like peeing in it.

So with the use of a bucket of rattly food, I asked them to follow me into the indoor school where I could work with them.

Firstly, I wanted to get them running about, i.e. active and warm.  Daisy called them “Frances’ Flea Circus”.

They loved it and happily cantered about the school trying to play and eat each other.

They stopped only to play with a cone.  The best toy.

And then off they went again.

I wanted my “Fleas” to use up their surplus energy as well.

Then I put a headcollar on each one and did a little work like picking up feet and leading.  There was no point brushing as everyone was revolting and matted.

I also spent time with each of them alone.  My dear little “Fleas”.  I am extremely fond of them and they have taken up a new part of my heart.  I never thought little Shetland ponies were for me but getting to know and gain the trust of these three has shown me their huge characters and generosity.

Of course Her Maj, aka BeAnne, looked on to check I was doing my work correctly. The Minions are getting better about not chasing her, which is encouraging.  Day by day!

I think I have done too much recently and I have been struck down with a life-threatening lurgy (ok, a cold, but still I feel grotty).

Today, I am giving my horses and ponies a day-off from me.  They deserve it.  Haakon has worked very hard recently.

But Daisy rode Taktur as per Bjørn’s instructions and training.

So proud ❤ ❤ ❤ ❤ sniff ❤ ❤ ❤ ❤.  Daisy rides beautifully and it is lovely to watch them work together.  Taktur is Daisy’s much wanted black stallion that she has dreamt of since she first read “The Black Stallion” books. (IndyPingPong, bless him, didn’t seem to fit that role).

She did very well.  I just sat in the middle with the dogs and took a few photos for her to look at afterwards.

Sorry this is short but I am feeling all bunged up and sorry for myself.  It is difficult juggling pain-killers with cold remedies and I can’t decide which is a more deserving cause.

If I cough, my back hurts.  If I sniff, my head hurts.  If I blow my nose, everything hurts.

Off to bed with my 24/7 nursing staff, I think.

This was our last ride in Sandness for a while.

At home, Fakur was missing his friends, Haakon and Iacs.  We had left them in Sandness last night.

Fiona joined us too and was riding her mare, Hreyfing so this time there were four of us going out on our ride.

Iacs was his usual enthusiastic self.

And so was Haakon.  You can tell these two are related.  They have the same “look”.

It was a lovely Sunday afternoon ride.

To the beach first.  The sand was still deep so no galloping.

On our travels, we met some boys who knew the names of some of the horses and wanted to know the others.  The horses are always very happy to meet folk and Hreyfing and Hetja went into motherly mode not daring to move (while Haakon took the opportunity to sniff Hetja’s bottom).

Iacs used the stop time to stuff his face.

While Hetja and Hreyfing went on, Daisy and I had a good race up a nice straight track.  I managed to get ahead on Haakon who then executed the dastardly move of leaping into the centre and blocking Iacs’ challenge for first place.  That’s my boy!

Home again, home again with sweaty but happy horses.

The girls went back to their field.

Haakon and Iacs ate Jo’s garden.

And then I took them home to Thordale.

Fakur was very pleased to see his friends again.  Taktur sniffed girl-scent on Haakon and this resulted in a difference of opinion.  Luckily Haakon is the boss of Taktur so any amorous advances were quickly snipped in the bud.

A great weekend.  Lots of riding and I am exhausted now.

A brilliant day.

We took the boys (Iacs and Haakon) over to Sandness.  Haakon was shod as his feet were appalling.  I was worried his tölt would be affected, as we are going very nicely at the moment, but my fears were allayed.  Jo shod him perfectly and he continued to go like a dream.

After the shoeing, Daisy caught Hetja – my beautiful mare from Iceland.

And then we tacked up.  I love Icelandic horses.  They can be complete strangers and will just line up and shut up rather than have any altercation with each other.

And so we set off.  I was at the back with my camera-phone – sorry about the pics.

And onto the sandy beach we went.

Bliss.  It was all ours’.

Sadly, the sand was very deep so we didn’t dare gallop.

To be fair, though, none of the horses wanted to either.  Icelandics horses have a huge amount of self-preservation and were very happy to potter along in walk.

The sea was gorgeous.  Greenie blue and calm.

And the beach was magical.

After the beach, we went round the village.   Hetja was very interested in three “caddy” lambs – orphan lambs.

Iacs remained bemused while Haakon was completely disinterested.  He knows all about caddies.

Onwards to Huxter Mills where Hetja had a good stretch in trot and then tölt.  We stayed at the back.

Admiring the scenery until they returned.

A fab ride.  We left the boys at Sandness and hopefully tomorrow we can do this again.

Utter bliss.  All our cobwebs are blown out and my horse’s tölt is still amazing.