Yesterday, as you might be aware, was a beautiful day.  The sun was shining and the thermometer was hitting 10 degrees centigrade (that is almost summer temperatures for us).  The bebbies were hit hard by this new warmth.  They are still wearing their full winter coats despite some ineffectual brushing by me.  The one who felt it most was little Waffle.  I could hear him breathing, almost panting, as he stood beside me.

A few days’ ago, I had stripped BeAnne’s winter coat as she was beginning to resemble a bog-brush.

10 minutes with the Mars Coat King, and she was back to her beautiful Spring self.

I thoroughly recommend this (as well as a trusty old Mason & Pearson hairbrush) – it does the job.

Feeling very sorry for the boys in this heat, I stripped a bit of their coats using my two “brushes” to see if that would cheer them up.  Silver would have none of it really.  He tolerated a few strokes and walked off.

Storm was a little better but then wanted to talk to Silver.

Lastly it was Waffle’s turn.  He would’ve been stripped all day and followed me if I went to try the others again.  In the end I sat down and he stood beside me letting me brush and strip his coat.  For 20 minutes, no headcollar, no nothing, he would occasionally turn his nosey to me for a kiss.  It was very special.  There was fur everywhere which I duly collected up as cleanly as possible.

Here it is – One and a half ounces.  I shall keep saving it as I do a little at a time.  The boys are going to be castrated soon so I will probably exchange it for any small donation to the cost of these three essential operations.

I received a message from Jo this morning saying that Haakon was not happy and standing by himself in their vast field, totally ostracised by the others.  My poor lad.  I instantly got up, dressed and in the Land Rover to bring him home.

That dot in the distance is Haakon all by himself.

Here is Klængur preventing Haakon from joining the others (most odd, they are good friends at Thordale).

And Les Girls miles away ignoring the equine politics.

As the sun was shining and we had so enjoyed the beach yesterday, I tacked Haakon up while Jo tacked up Hetja and off we went again for another “training session”, ok blast!

I thought Haakon might be stiff from yesterday’s ride but he was rearing to go, quite literally – nothing scary, we know each other well.  Note the left ear back listening, always listening to his Mum.

Anywho, afterwards,I drove him home to Thordale.   Everyone was very pleased to see him, especially Taktur, my stallion who decided to follow him everywhere much to Haakon’s annoyance.

Taktur said he could smell girls and he liked that.

We had worked hard on today’s ride and I could see that Haakon really wanted to be left alone so he could roll.

Haakon is a funny old thing.  I suppose it is a bad time of year to introduce an old man into a herd of girls.  Klængur has been happily having his wicked way with them all so was not going to let Haakon near his ladies.  Haakon was a serving stallion many moons ago (he has progeny) and this is the first year I have seen him not trying to take all the mares for himself.  He was so pleased to be home, though.

I drove Haakon in the trailer over to Sandness today for variety.  Jo rode Hetja and we set off down to Norby Beach.

The beach was fantastic – ok, it was high tide but there was plenty of sand to tölt and walk on.  It changes with every storm.

Haakon has always loved the sea.  He likes paddling, slurping and generally playing in the foam. For some reason watching the waves go in and out while sitting on my horse makes me feel very sick.  I had to shut my eyes to take this photo.  Ugh, my head goes very wobbly.

So, we walked sedately down to the bottom end, had one argument over a small stream that apparently would kill us and then we turned round tölting back, all the way.  After that we went round the village in varying gaits, though speeding up when we got to Hammy, Indy, Andy and Charlie’s field.  They were at the bottom, miles away, and we snuck past at 100mph in case they came up to ruin the fence again.

I left Haakon at Jo’s so we can repeat this ride.  It makes a nice change for us both.  Haakon was very happy to meet everyone.

He doesn’t know Esja.

But he showed her his stallion-esque moves anyway.

I think this is where I shouted at them “do not lose your shoes or there will be trouble”.

And please tell me this is not any part of trot.  We never trot.  I hate trot!

I was on my own today.  OH went off to the Big L to fetch our weekly messages and Jo had borrowed my Land Rover.  I was going to be by myself with 5 horses, 3 bebbies, 3 dogs, 1 cat, 7 chickens, etc…..  (never alone).

Bessie, a friend who I have know since I arrived in Shetland, phoned.  She has always been a keen supporter of my equines since the original purchase of “super-tame” Fivla (the white one in the Fair Isle sweater Visit Scotland campaign).

Anyway, Bessie subsequently popped over this afternoon as she felt she should meet our latest arrivals – the Bebbies.  I warned her that they could be rather rumbustious but she was undeterred.  Tough lady.

I had fed the boys previously (Taktur’s leftovers mostly), given them “The Look”, warned them to behave and make me proud.  Sometimes, these three colts are not that good with visitors and tend to stay away rather than chat.  I suppose it is because they only see me on a regular basis (and Jo) really.  No one else.  But Bessie sat down and waited for them to come up to talk to her.  The natural Shetland pony inquisitiveness of the boys took over and Bessie was duly investigated, one at a time.

It was lovely to watch and I was very proud of my little lads.  They have come a long way.

Bessie even discovered which button to press on Storm, that makes him the happiest Storm ever.

Yes, it does look pervy but he just loves having his bum scratched!  He goes all “Elephant Nose”.

I think the lads have made a new friend.

I haven’t been anywhere for ages because I was scared my back would go “pop” and I would go “ow” so I have deliberately stayed at home boring you with tales of Taktur, his amazing ability to eat food as well the Bebbies’ every movement, interesting or otherwise.

This afternoon, BeAnne and I went to Sandness to see:-

• Indy (Shetland stallion of wide proportions)
• Hammie (Welsh Section A stallion-companion who, err, wintered well, shall we say)
• Andy  and Charlie, (half brothers – Shetland pony geldings, who are so fat you could set four for dinner with full regimental silver)

The boys were on good form and vaguely enthusiastic to see me.  They had been at the fence and we had words.  I love my fences. They do not deserve Shetland/Welsh pony bottoms.

My next plan is to attach it to the mains to stop the leaning and destroying. Fencing is not cheap and they all need to learn a lesson (that’s Indy’s stern look which I am adopting to make my point!)

Today it was Andy’s turn to look a bit strange – mostly it is Charlie who adopts the “mad face”.

The rest were busy hassling each other.

Indy was busy freshening up and I will give him a good brush before he goes out with his girls from another Stud so he will look extra handsome.

Meanwhile, Hammie kept him entertained by being annoying.  It is what he does best and why he stays at Thordale.

Indy gave as good as he got which makes Hammie very happy.   He loves a good reaction.  They are The Odd Couple (equine version).

On the way home, feeling very depressed about my fence or lack of it, the Gods smiled and rewarded me with a Mountain Hare.  I love them and mostly I see their bottoms as they hop away into the distance as fast as possible.

(It nearly killed BeAnne to stay silent in the car while I took photos – but she did, bless her.  Extra gravy bones all round).