Tag Archives: galloping

Some Piccies of Today

A few photos (ok, more than a few) from last night and today with explanations of why I took them….

This is the face of someone who has been caught visiting a new neighbour recently – “oh yes, I saw her first thing the other morning” was what we heard.  *** sigh *** The thing is, no one even knows she’s missing!

Monster at breakfast lounging over my iPad, as per usual.  The bluebell is a nice touch.

The annual clean out of the sheep shed.  My poor back screams.

At last, blue skies.

My new business cards.

Waffle, while I was poo-picking the track.

Galloping down the hill – a favourite sport for Shetland ponies.

Tiddles’ being bouffant.

Brushed but still hairy.

Monster eating his supper in his usual spot tonight.

All Brushed!

Well that’s everyone brushed for the year.  Today I had help from a friend, which made things much easier.  First I caught Albie and tied him up using the one-size-doesn’t-really-fit-anyone headcollar.  As you can see, he got his nose out but it did the job for the time it was needed.

The rest of the ponies were all eating af the furthest end of the track – of course they were, so we walked round with our grooming tools and set about brushing each pony one at a time.

Next up, Tiddles.  He tried to have a tantrum about me brushing out his forelock and cleaning his ears.  I ignored it and kept going.

I title this – “when your mother brushes your hair”.  Très bouffant, Tiddles.  And note the clean lugs.  To be fair, he did come up and apologise later for his rage.  I kissed him on the nose and said it didn’t matter but remember I will always win.

I can’t really remember what order we brushed the rest of the ponies in but we did the lot and, again, they weren’t really shedding much hair as you can see from the pile once we had finished.

So I think we just brushed out the last of the very thick long winter coat leaving them with a spring coat which will soon fall out.

I did manes and tails too.

Another Mum hair-do.

Newt still resembles a small yak no matter how much brushing.  He actually behaved.

The sun quickly vanished and it soon clouded over and as it is still not very warm, I am not worried about their coats, especially as they are all like that.  Perhaps they know something I don’t like we are not going to have a summer.

Anyway, they all ran off….. giggling.

And Waffle galloped past me to catch up as he had gone the wrong way!

Happy Little Chaps

I couldn’t see the Shetland ponies anywhere when I went into the field with their breakfast.  So I called and they appeared over the hill……

It is good to see everyone move well and look so happy in their new found freedom.

The ponies quickly found their buckets. All except Albie, of course.  He just has to share Waffle’s, much to Waff’s annoyance.

So I dragged over another bucket.

And everyone was happy, though Waffle probably thought Albie should share his now bigger portion.

Tiddles has his own private space.

And Newt’s back leg is quietly poised to cause as much annoyance as possible.  I should’ve moved him.  I know what he likes to do – kick out at anyone too close.

At the moment, I am going by the theory that the ponies won’t notice the filthy weather ahead (the next 24 hours – F10 with rain, temperatures dropping) because they have 30 acres of field and grass to play and eat in.  When I got the sheep home this evening, I couldn’t see the ponies anywhere so that’s a good sign.