Tag Archives: My Shetland

Iacs Today

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The vets from south (Ardene House Vets) were in Shetland and Iacs was on their list.  He sees them annually for a check up after his operation a few years back for penile squamous cell carcinoma.

Iacs’ appointment wasn’t until the afternoon so OH and I got on with another looming chore. We finished sweeping out the sheep shed and left it to dry.

Afterwards, I took some painkillers and went outside to sit in the sunshine.

It was a beautiful day.

Later on I received a message saying that the vet was on her way to us so I went into the field and led Iacs out so he was close by when they turned up.  Haakon followed too.

(I have no idea why Haakon has to stand like a giraffe).

I was already feeling windy about Iacs having a general anaesthetic at his great age so I had a chat with Daisy (who is Iacs’ owner) to decide what was the best way forward.

The vet arrived and we discussed the pros and cons of sedation bearing in mind his age (31yo) and possible complications (colic).  Because Iacs’ last examination had been clear, the vet gave him a good clean/feel and said it all felt very normal and no obvious growths.  Ok, she couldn’t see because Iacs would need a general anaesthetic for that and, as there has been absolutely no signs or symptoms, we decided to leave it with the view that if I observed anything over the next year, then obviously we would do something if it was considered necessary.

Colic is an ever-present enemy at their advanced ages.

So that is what we decided.

(and the vet said she wouldn’t have known Iacs and Haakon were 31 and 32yo and they looked amazing – I breathed a huge sigh of relief).

Some Piccies of Today

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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.

Meanwhile in Shetland

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Back to my weather obsession.  This is today in the UK.  A heatwave, apparently.  A bonkers hot one.

Meanwhile, in Shetland……

Weatherwise, it’s not great to be honest and seeing photos of folk enjoying the sunshine is a little galling while we are still wandering around in our big coats and wellies.

I even had to put the fire on in my shed for Pepper this afternoon while I made another hand-felted Shetland sheep.  She absorbed all the heat generated.  I could feel nothing.

Never mind, apparently the sun might arrive tomorrow, though not the high temperatures (which is good for the sheep as they really struggle with heat and their big fleeces).

I think we are all looking forward to seeing that yellow thing in the sky for more than an occasional glimpse, which is all we have had recently.

On a plus today, though, it has been an excellent spring for our bluebells.

And I now know where we planted the wild garlic – it was lost it for a while.  I shall now look forward to a Shetland heatwave – my definition being two consecutive days when it doesn’t rain!

 

 

All Brushed!

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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!

A Bit of Brushing

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Last night.  It was raining so the dweebs ate inside their container – all except Albie who was perfectly happy outside.

And then from this morning. I think I can truthfully say that Fivla enjoyed her breakfast.  I found her washing up all the buckets when I went back to collect them.

Vitamoobag had taken up residence in “her” shed.

With everything cleared up, washed up and refilled with food to soak, I went in for my breakfast along with the Sphinx Mk II.

Once I got my iPad back, I had a nice conversation with Daisy and we decided that I should brush one horse/pony a day as I am still not convinced that Haakon and Iacs are putting on weight as fast as they should.  The theory being that if they are stripped of their winter coats, their bodies might go into summer mode and start using their food energy differently.

As I walked past armed with my brushes, I saw that Fivla too had taken up residence.

Luckily Iacs had not strayed very far and so he was my first target.

I brushed until my arms hurt!

And I think he looks a lot better for it.

Feeling inspired, I noticed that Fivla had not left the paddock – the others had long since departed – so I started brushing her.

Ungrateful, Fivla walked off midway – my bad, I didn’t bring a headcollar (I hadn’t thought to) – so I let her leave and told her that I would come back to her tomorrow.

Anyway, my back was beginning to hurt.  I did the worst of her.

So that was my good deed for the day. Tomorrow is Haakon or Kolka’s go, depending on who turns up and maybe the rest of Fivla.