Tag Archives: Icelandic horses

First Visitors of the Year

4 Replies

Today we had our first visitors of 2026.

They brought carrots.

Everyone loves carrots.

First we visited the Shetland ponies.  They came running when I showed them the carrot bags.

Then we walked over to the field with the old horses and ponies.

Haakon and Kolka thought all their birthdays had arrived at once.

Iacs was not in a people mood so OH took him his fair share and he stayed far away.  His choice.

Fivla and Vitamin were very happy to see carrots.

Apparently Fivla is the one who is going home with my visitors – everyone always wants to take one away.

And Ted probably in the luggage too whether they want him or not.

After a glorious “picnic” lunch – which my visitors kindly brought for us (the best type of visitor in my book), we went to talk to the sheep who were coming home.  At first, everyone suffered horribly from “stranger danger” so I brought some food and Harrel quickly got over his fear.

As did his mother, Maggie.

Lambie refused to chat but Maggie, Bert and Harrel were very sociable.  The food helped but the sheep genuinely wanted to talk.  I always enjoy introducing them to folk – sheep are very under-estimated. Each one has their own character.  Maggie was enchanting.

And Lambie’s chosen character today was that of “standard idiot”.  His loss. He missed out.

Goodbye Flossie

7 Replies

We knew the weather would be very bad at 8.00 when we usually go out to feed everyone, so Floss and I got up an hour early (plus the clocks went forward last night) before it all revved up. We wanted to get everything done while it was safe to be outside.

Floss is going back to her home, having helped me enormously over a hard winter.  Later on, when there was lull in the weather, we went outside so she could say goodbye to everyone.

(we also put a hand under everyone’s rugs to find them totally dry and warm, which was good, as some quantity of rain had fallen).

 

And then Floss went to say goodbye to the sheep and we decided to have a sit in the sheep shed, mostly because it was dry.

This is one of my favourite past-times.

While the weather was raging outside, we were dry, calm and peaceful.

And ‘Bert was very cuddly – there was a brief minute when Flossie imagined taking ‘Bert back with her but he’s not great on a dog-lead so that would be the difficulty.

(I ❤️ this photo so much!)

However, Lambie is great on a dog-lead but not half as cuddly.

And then inside to try and put a few things on Ebay – the job that is always waiting for the rainy day.

It was not made easy but I achieved and put a few things on.  We’ll see what happens.  I feel quite inspired.

So farewell to Flossie. Both she and Daisy have been an immense help and support when I needed it most.  I think I can do this on my own now.  I just need a system.

Rugs Back On Again Chaps!

13 Replies

The horses and ponies managed a few days without their rugs but next week’s weather forecast is looking horrendous and it looks like the snow will return.

I am not happy but at least I have Flossie until next Sunday.

So, we decided to put on everyone’s thicker rugs with high necks.

This is Fivla in her 4′ 6″ Horseware Rhino Pony Wug 100g Turnout Rug.  It arrived just in the time for this latest weather onslaught.

Vitamin’s wearing the same version, only in a 4′ 9″ size.

Again, the essential high neck and I know she is comfortable and will stay warm, whatever happens.

Bibble is sporting his new rug too.  Another Horseware Rhino Wug Turnout Rug 100g. He takes the “horse” version but this time in a rather sporty Irish Tartan so we renamed him “O’Bibble”.

Haakon and his wife, Kolka, have to wear last year’s model which I know is a good fit and perfectly good.

I went down later with needle and thread to sew a strap under Kolka’s tail flap as it had gone.. She was very good and stood quietly while I sewed.

So that’s them ready. I am glad I bit the financial bullet and made this investment.  Horseware rugs are absolute best in my book therefore I will sleep at night knowing I can’t do more.

Meanwhile, Tiddles is in his one new rug. Sadly, the 100g was not available in the UK and apparently this high neck will not be manufactured again, so panicking I scoured the internet and found one his size in the USA.  A friend is bringing it over in Spring for him.  So the 0g will have to do for now.

He was very happy to put his rug back on.

I wonder if they know the weather is about to get very bad.

d

The other ponies remain fat and don’t need anything.  So fat, in fact, we are thinking they won’t get any extra hay either, though I may capitulate on that.

Super-Duper Rugs Arrived!

3 Replies

Most of my super-duper high-neck Rambo rugs have arrived now  and I’m just waiting on the ones with 100g fill (for colder days) and Fivla’s 0g.

Yes, I spent a fortune and do I think it was worth it?   Well, I will admit I was nervous when I tried on Tiddles’ new rug this morning but it fits beautifully and is exactly what I want for him.  The high neck will stop the rain dripping down into his shoulders and legs (he gets very depressed when that happens) and the high quality of rug means he could basically live in this until summer arrives, which of course he won’t.  I love it. He loves it.  It is the perfect rug for him – a proper waterproof rug.

In the package was also a 0g rug for Vitamin.  It is exactly the same rug (Rhino Wug Pony Turnout), but bigger, obviously (Tiddles is 4′ and Vitamoobag is 4; 9″).

And, again, a perfect fit.  Vitamin has spent her day happy she has a new rug that covers her neck whilst having the freedom to move around. I am not a fan of total neck covers – they can be very restricting.

Meanwhile, Fivla has to wear her older version (standard neck) of the rug and her’s should hopefully arrive soon.

Why did I buy them all new rugs?  Because I am fed up of economising and throwing good money after bad on not-very-waterproof rugs, that let the side down filling up with water and have to be changed.  I have worked out this is a false economy and kills my back too.

Then Flossie came down the hill carrying the Icelandic horses’ rain-sheets. Nothing is easy to carry in our world.

We quickly rugged them up.

So we’ll see what the weather brings next.  I was getting used to the calmer days.

My Winter Horse Keeping Method

2 Replies

The old folk – that is Haakon, Kolka, Iacs, Vitamin and Fivla – are doing well.  They live at the bottom of a rather steep and slippery hill in the field that is inside the track.

This field hasn’t been grazed for two years and is a naturally sheltered valley too, so they can get out of the wind if they want.

Everyone is wearing a rug and the difference has been huge in so many ways.

No one is miserable, shivering or cold.  They just eat, most of the time or rest.

So far, they have kept their weight on and I am very pleased about that – weight maintenance in winter is a constant worry.  The field is holding up well too and hopefully we will get a few more weeks out of it before I move them again.  I don’t want to over-graze as I think it will be useful again next winter.

Keeping everyone outside as much as possible has meant the old horses and ponies are much healthier and “normal”, if you know what I mean. Yes, there is the routine of breakfast but no one is hanging around after looking miserable and wanting to come inside (unless it is beyond vile and then obviously they’re in).  When it rains, I don’t worry.  Their state-of-the-art high neck rugs (and am buying for the old ladies and Tiddles too) are doing the job perfectly and mentally, I think I can see a huge positive change because no one is struggling.

I have decided that this is the best way to keep them in the winter.  Loads of food and good rugs, preferably with high necks (that makes such a difference). The minute anyone can’t cope with this regimen and just wants to be inside all the time, then I will just have to think again.  But, for the time being, it is working.

Anywho, today’s ouvrage!

To join les autres.