I took this photo last night as I was going indoors for the evening.  I title it “All Alone in the World”.  It felt very Hans Christian Andersen Little-Match-Girl-esque.  Poor Lambie.

One of my many jobs this morning was to open up a bit more of the track for the Shetland ponies.  They had such a boring time yesterday – containers and hay and constant rain – that I thought they could do with something nice, for a change.

Fivla and Silver spotted me first while just finishing off.

The other six ponies were exactly the other side of the track watching me intently.   I had turned off the electric fence and I was suprised that Waffle didn’t just test it and barge through.  He has previous form for this heinous crime and we have had words so maybe they finally sank in.

Anyway, Silver and Fivla were very happy to see the long grass and tried to resemble miniature Carmargue horses wandering the reed-beds.

Then the others got wind of the new grass on offer and set off at full pelt.

It was lovely to watch everyone going lickety-split round the track.  Waffle and Vitamoobag were behind.

Phew!  Grass.

And then eventually Vitamoobag turned up too so everyone was together and happy.  They’ve been asleep all afternoon in the sunshine with full tummies.

Today it rained and I made the concious decision not to put rugs on any of the Shetland ponies.  My theory was that, now they have the two containers and unlimited hay, they get to make their own choices on where they want to be.  I think it is really important that animals choose and take responsibility for their decisions.

It was interesting to note that Vitamoo-bag, Fivla and Newt had taken up residence in the container while the others decided to be outside.

And, of course, Albie was utterly hopeless.

He refused to even consider helping himself to a haynet.

Not even if it was positioned so he can eat it standing outside.  Honestly, I give up with him and please don’t feel sorry for Albie as he had already had a huge pile of hay earlier.  His choice, I keep telling myself.  His decisions.  His responsibility.

So the others tucked in and left Albie to his inner demons.

And I went to town to get more hay and a collar for Pepperpot as she lost her old one under a container somewhere.  I think she suits shocking pink.

When I got home, the ponies had mostly gone out to find some grass. It was still raining and again, their choices.

That was, all except for Silver, Waffle and Vitamin, who I think hadn’t actually moved all day!

Vitamoo-bag has been welded to that haynet!  Good for her.

Once it stops raining, Skippy and I will go out and muck out together.

When I had finished mucking out the containers and little paddock with the help of the invaluable Skippy (my electric wheelbarrow that I now could not be without), I found Albie mooching about by himself.  The others had eaten the hay and had all gone down to the track.

So I sat on the ground and asked Albie if he wanted to have a little chat with me.

I find sitting down and being at the same sort of level works best for chats.

Albie agreed and told me all his woes.  I listened and replied that, although the containers were big and possibly scary, he might find them easier to go inside when the weather turned.

Albie went off saying he would give it some thought.

I am not sure he was convinced but we will see.

I also told Albie that there is bad weather coming on Thursday (Force 9, a northerly wind which is always cruel), some rain and the temperature will plummet.

Thursday will probably show Albie the benefits of container-life.

Especially if I hang some haynets in there too.

Poor little Albie.  He trotted off down the hill to join his friends.  He is not the brightest star in our firmament.

After a very successful flute duet afternoon, I went to check the Icelandic horses just to make sure that they don’t have colic or laminits.

They don’t and I know this as I fed them all a diagnostic carrot.

Afterwards, I crossed the hill, elegantly jumped over a fence (ok, scrambled) and went to see the sheep.  They were, sort of, all together in their flock and I sat myself down on a comfortable rock to see who came over to talk.

And wee Gussie and his mum, Dahlia arrived as if by magic!  Instantly.

Dear little Gus-Gus.

Pepper was also sitting on my knee because Dahlia is not a fan so it was the safest place.

So that was me this late afternoon. Just sitting on a not-very-comfortable rock (I lied about the comfort factor), listening to the birds near by and the sea in the far distance thinking that this is my world and, actually, it is pretty perfect.  I wouldn’t change much.

Addendum:  I may be drinking wine!

I am always counting animals – 9 sheep, 3 Icelandics, 8 Shetland ponies, 12 ducks, 8 hens, 2 dogs, 1 cat, 2 daughters …. the list is endless.

So, this morning at breakfast, I was counting the ponies and my total only came to 7.  Panic!  Where’s Newt?

I found him in his office!

Fivla arrived so wanted to show her the other container so she knew that if Newt was not letting anyone inside, there were other options.

Options are always good.

Newt can be difficult with the others when he makes up his mind.

Storm, who is Newt’s cousin, wanted in too.

And then everyone wanted in too but Newt was still in charge though.  This was his space, so you know.

Dear Silver stayed with Albie who remains adamant he will never go inside.

The way I see it is that Albie is young and fat.  Staying outside in bad weather can be his choice and if he shivers some weight off, I wouldn’t be sad.

I did try scattering carrots in the empty container to try and lure him inside but that was when Newt switched containers to go and eat them all!  I told you he’s in charge…. possibly of us all!