He has a brother, you know. You know what he’s called? He’s called… ‘Charlie….. Charles Buttons Esq’……

(blatant plagiarism from my favourite films)

Charles likes to think he is unique.  He has issues that he invents whenever the mood suits him.    He enjoys these fears and lives off them – his meat and drink.  We mostly try to ignore them rather than indulge.  He does like to tell everyone how he was abused as a foal by….. the cart, the headcolloar, a saddle, a brush…. the list is endless in his eyes. If you tell him to get a grip, he usually just says ok and gets on with it.  He can also be caught with a used tissue in your hand which is known as “the tissue of lies”, ie it is not the sweetie wrapper he hopes it is.

Charlie can be very precious when it suits him because that gets him the most attention and any attention is better than nothing in his eyes.  He is also a clown and has a lovely irresistible smile.

He has beautiful blue eyes.  This, apparently, is a heinous crime in Shetland pony breeders’ eyes.  There are a number of urban myths and legends that surround blues eyes in horses – for example, he is blind, or deaf and/or his white stripey hooves are softer than normal.  All is complete and utter rot.  Sadly, for Charlie, he is a very normal and perfect Shetland pony.

Charles is driven, in singles, or pairs, tandem with his brother, Andy.  He likes driving and is also ridden on occasions.  He goes very fast, though, and would be perfect for the Shetland pony Grand National if we ever found a jockey brave enough.

So that is Charlie.  A darling silly little boy who always makes us laugh.  He is not mean, just enjoys being speshul.

Ramnaberg Andrew is one of the first Shetland ponies we ever bought to train up.

He is what is known as an “up to height” Shetland, ie he is bang on 42″, which is the topmost height.  Jo bought him from the sales as a weanling because he had a leg in each corner and a certain something.

Andy likes doing tricks.  Here is one of his many certain somethings…..

He could’ve made a great circus pony except when one of our students tried to teach him to bow, he nearly broke her nose on the 2nd attempt having worked out where the polos were!

Andy is much loved in our family.

He has taught many children to ride in his own unique way and is a great believer in riders taking responsibility for their actions.  To bring home his point he often includes swift bull-fighting turns, sitting down if pulled about and even dumping the occasional kicking child in a bucket (they had it coming!)

Perhaps not a pony of extreme beauty and elegance, he is one of our best driving ponies – 100% safe and reliable, always looking after the driver, no matter how novice.

So this is Anderwoo.  He has always been a huge character and these are very old photos from my first digital camera (circa 2003).  We must get him going again.  He is currently with his brother, Charlie, and living with Indy and Hammy for the winter.

It started with beauty treatments at Benessere in Tresta – http://www.benessereshetland.co.uk/

Evette worked with Flossie first.  She is going away south to university on Saturday.  My little baby – I am going to miss her so much.  Evette did a great job and then it was my turn. I have never had any beauty treatment before and I am a full convert now.  I shall save all my “wine money” to have regular massage, facials and probably some Reiki as well.  I love it.  I felt so good afterwards.  Better than I have for months.  Thank you, Evette.

Next lunch in Lerwick.  We went for Floss’ favourite combination as it was her day – the Fort chippie and then drove to a small car park by Tesco’s to watch the weather and waves that were raging outside.  It was fairly breezy outside.  My photos do not do it justice.

Then off to Scalloway where we left Flossie to have her hair cut and coloured in the safe and expert hands of Bjørn at Sharp Image salon.

We drove over to Burra Island to Hildasay Stud to meet Mary Isbister.  I wanted to see two of her Shetland ponies.  They were wonderful.   Mary breeds the kindest Shetland ponies I know.  They are easy, gentle and very used to people.  I met Zoot’s “twin brother”, though of course he isn’t.  A darling little boy who had perfect manners and a rare genuine disposition.  I wanted him so much.  I could’ve kissed his nosey forever.

The other pony I looked at was a gelding who is a sweetie too.  He is a bit older and ready to be backed.  Another genuine little lad.

Dammit, why is life never easy?

This is what Shetland is all about – boats and ponies.  It has been this for centuries.

So, back to the salon to see how Floss was getting on.  Perfect.

And we went home to find a rather resentful BeAnne.

Off I scoot every day but only if it is not raining.  I take the dogs with me and Floss helps me by bringing Jack on his lead.  Jack is doitin (Shetland dialect – adj – mentally confused. Du’ll git nae sense oot o him he’s fair doitin.) now.  He is almost blind and totally deaf.  He has to go out on a lead or he gets to the gate, turns round and goes back home which is not really a walk of any pee-ing substance.  So Floss gently guides him and we go very slowly – tortoise speed on my scooter dial.

We crawl up the track.  Loki goes on ahead but is good about coming back while BeAnne is absolutely determined for me to run her over.

Jack is a little wind-up clockwork toy in the bath.  He just keeps going in the direction he is pointing so when you need to turn him round, you have to do just that and then he walks in that direction, ie home again.

I must admit, I hate seeing Jack like this.  He was always a dog of purpose.  He is of indeterminate age – he was a stray dog off DogPages .  After Celt died earlier this year, he aged before us very quickly.  Who knows how old he actually is – my guess is he is about 15 years old.  But he goes forwards at a steady walk, he is mostly continent, he is happy in his own world and routine so as long as we have that, he has a fair quality of life.  So we do the walks he knows so he can bring himself home if he wants to.  Like me, he becomes more achey and hoppity with wet weather.

We don’t do horses with Jack. He loathes them and has never forgiven Hammy for escorting or frog-marching him out of the field, with his nose up his bum.  Jack had sworn at him for investigating him when he had his nose down a rabbit hole.  He can hold a grudge forever, I think.

And for anyone missing the horses, Floss went out to take pictures and feed carrots.  When I whistled for the dogs, they all appeared from miles away at an optimistic flat gallop.

Btw, no offence Daisy, but your horse is silly…..

Just sayin’

I can’t tell you his name because of pony politics but this is my favourite Shetland pony.

We bought him from a good stud here on Shetland.  Originally, we went to buy his brother but ended up coming home with both ponies.  I was in the field and he took my eye.  He let me talk to him and a small voice somewhere said we had to have him.

We trained him to harness over a winter and could see his huge potential.  He was a clever pony who wanted to do the right thing instantly.  If he understood what you wanted and he trusted you, he would give you the world.  It was all about trust.  If I said it was ok, then it was and he believed me.

He could be wary of folk but he loved me.  When I was in the field taking photos, he would silently come to stand beside me.  Only I could catch him especially when we were camping on a showground and the announcement “loose horse – Shetland pony” was on the tannoy.  He and his friends were great escape artists.  I used to take him with me everywhere like a dog on a lead at shows because he was easy to look after while the others were in the ring.

Now I wish we had kept him but at the time he was down to be sold and we couldn’t keep all the ones we loved.  He looked stunning in harness – like a miniature Friesian and had action that took your breath away.  One special pony that I will always miss.

I think about him often.  I hope he is happy and I hope his owners love him.  He was a dear boy, my little mini-Friesian.