I was involved in a bijoux collision a few days ago and it has not done me any good (1/2 a tonne of horse + my back = pain).  None of my horses were involved.

Feeling a bit owie and bruised now, I don’t feel much like riding so I drove over to see how the lads were getting on in their ginormous field.

They came straight over to tell me about all their hardships, like not being able to touch the fence that ran between them and their neighbours.  I ignored this.  And now we have a spare battery, I can ignore this even more (mwhahahaha!)

Instead, they looked me square in the eyes and “tested” the other fence to see what I did – nothing.

I hadn’t brought BeAnne with me so didn’t even have my secret weapon to keep them off the fences and they knew this.

Hammy is fine.  Fat and fine.

Indy is ever the gentleman. He has struck up an unlikely friendship with Charlie.  Most odd.

Andy is ignoring Indy.

Charlie is mad, as usual.

and his bum is bigger than Hammy’s!

So that is my little boy band, happy enough in their ginormous field, eating their hearts out and ignoring the weather completely.  This is how it should be.  You throw them in a field and you leave them there to be horses (or ponies) – with food, water and equine company.

I think I am being optimistic that they might lose some weight over the winter.

Loki has learned some new skills – to wag his tail and to play.

His favourite toy is “Roadkill Squirrel” – yes, it really is called that (and from the same shop, allow me introduce to you Roadkill Hedgehog and Roadkill Rat, all complete with tyre marks).  Loki has two – an old much-loved one, plus a new one for Christmas.  The best toy ever.

And so, with the help of this squirrel, Loki has learned to play and it has changed him and the way he thinks.   He has become a proper dog.

Loki is getting better around other dogs – more tolerant and his fuse is not so short.  This is all good.  BeAnne has also had to learn not to snap or give him the bad look.  She did not help the situation at all.  We have had words.

I can now take them both for a walk off the lead and Loki listens and makes a huge effort to always do the right thing.  He comes galloping back when you call him.

I am very proud of Loki.  He has made a huge effort these past few months to become part of our family.  His manners are greatly improved and he smiles, is pleased to see folk and wags his tail appreciatively.  No longer the dead eyes that take everything in thinking the worst.  He has boundless enthusiasm for life.

I am going to order the Roadkill Squirrels in bulk, I think!

I will be rich – we had a fabulous rainbow and, as you can see, it ended in my property.  Folk will be sent out with shovels to dig for gold.

There was a rumble down the track, the dogs barked and Jo arrived with two visiting Icelandic horses – Kolka and our Hetja.

Janette (Kolka’s owner) wanted to do join-up in an enclosed space.

and then she rode her.

Jo and Daisy rode Hetja.  It has been a while since I have seen Hetja ridden and it is good to see there is a huge improvement already.  All the saddle/cold back issues have gone and Hetja is a lovely willing horse.  She is wearing Klaengur’s saddle at the moment and is very happy in it.

Hetja is such a kind and trustworthy horse. She still reminds me of our late Icelandic mare, Ugla, who died far too early many years back.  Both show the same dignity and regal presence.  Real ladies.

Daisy brought Iacs in to show Jo his “poorly paw”.  While Iacs was waiting, he managed to trash the whole area.  He located and ate Taktur’s leftover food, had the brushes down from their shelves and was wearing the pooper scoop round his ears.  Every so often Daisy would shout “Iacs” in an admonishing way so he would duly look up guiltily, stop for a short while and then return to the business of leaving a trail of destruction in his wake.  He is known for this behaviour and when we had the riding school, there were little signs everywhere saying “do not tie Iacs here” – this was after he was found eating someone’s packed lunch!

Personally, I blame the parent.

I have spent the day in hospital – having trigger point injections into my spine.

I had some sedation in the form of IV gin and am feeling a bit woozy now so please forgive me for not writing much.

Tomorrow I will be up and at ’em with my camera.

See you tomorrow x

Klængur is still lame.  In both feet.  I am so bored of this and I am sure Klængur is too.  Poor love, he is such a stoic.

Jo popped over to drop off some more shoes for Taktur so we grabbed Klængur for her to look at quickly.  In return I gave her the battery to charge up and zap Hammy’s nose.

Klæengur is a good boy and just stands quietly with the rope over his neck, never moving off or fidgeting.

As it is so muddy at the top of the field where they wait to be fed, Jo dunked each foot in a bucket of water first to clean it.

We feel the wall of each hoof to see which one is hottest.  After much consultation and input from everyone around, we all decided that one foot was hotter than the other.

So back Klæengur went into his field with me worrying.  Having said that both Daisy and I have seen him galloping about playing endlessly with Taktur so I refuse to feel too sorry for him