Tag Archives: Shetland Islands

Greasy Forelocks and Manes

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When I was in the field this morning, I noticed that the old horses and ponies had greasy clumpy forelocks and thought to myself I must do something about this.  I’ll do it later – Mañana.

Later arrived and, after I had made my statutory hand-felted sheep, I was in desparate need for some fresh air so I went outside armed with my small bucket of grooming tools.  I knew I would probably be in for a long walk to find everyone but, as luck would have it, the horses and ponies had all come down to the paddock for water, or use of the little shed.

So I grabbed my chance.  Some took no time at all to brush out like ↓↓ Haakon ↓↓. I finished him in seconds.

Bibble (aka Iacs) needed a lot more attention.  His mane was forming clumps from old finer winter hair that had matted in and was turning into knots. I diligently brushed them all out and he was instantly transformed into a handsome beast.

Kolka was another who didn’t take long.

Mostly because she left and I hadn’t bothered to bring a headcollar so couldn’t catch her.

 

Still, I got them all done in that field.

Including Fivla and Vitamin who then took to their shed.  I might have a go at the other Shetland ponies.  They have the equine dentist (first check up ever) on Thursday so that might be a good time to do a spot of grooming as well.

Day Changes

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My usual Saturday has had to shift to Sunday, if that makes sense.

Packing vegetables for Transition Turrifield (that I used to do on a Thursday afternoon) is now weekly and on a Saturday morning. My Saturday afternoons used to be set aside for flute duets but I never knew when I would get home after Turriefield, so we changed it to Sunday instead.

It doesn’t really matter when I play the flute as long as it is convenient for the First Flute (I am Second because my top notes are a bit suss and I am too lazy to ever practice!)

Anyway, as today is Sunday, we got the silver flutes out to murder Mozart. We had our usual audience. Obviously Pepper was grounded because of her poorly paw so I gave her “Lamb Chop” to keep her company.

Monster just slouched about and left when it all got a bit much. He just gets in the way anyway.

And that is why my Saturday has become Sunday (and in my head it all makes perfect sense, even if you are left scratching your’s).

The Constant Juggling

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I know no one wants to hear this at the moment, but it was quite cold today in Shetland.

I was forced to wear my coat when I fed everyone.

And again later this afternoon, when I put the haynets out for the little ones.

My latest worry is that the Shetland ponies are secretly putting on weight, even though I feel sorry for them and don’t think they are getting enough to eat.

They get a small handful of beet in the mornings with their vitamins and then share two not-very-full haynets in the afternoon – so barely a mouthful of anything when you add it up.

I guess there must be something to eat on the track, though I can’t see it.

Interestingly, though, Newt doesn’t ever really want hay or it might be a case of no one will let him near the hay – this is his very cross face, by the way.

But he is really rotund vengeful hippo!  Honestly, I am trying, I really am but these ponies live off fresh air.

And the reason it is so cold, apparently and I’ve just read this, is that there is currently 30mph north wind blowing (Pepper and I are now lying under an electric blanket trying to warm up!)

Meanwhile everyone else is very warm.

The Look

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Most of the day I have been on the receiving end of “The Look”.

That’s the one – hard-done-by accompanied with resentment which then pairs nicely with holding the paw up and going along on three legs.

I missed Pepper’s little busybodyness while I gave everyone their breakfasts.  It felt a bit lonely on my own, if I’m honest.

Later on the morning, I put on her (borrowed) boot so she could go for a short three-legged walk on a lead. As I had things to do like clean the water troughs and refill them, I ended up tying her to the fence post so she could at least watch the world go by.

Pepper is learning that she can put her paw down but she is very hesitant to fully weight-bear. The boot is more for keeping her bandage clean.

Ted is being very smug about all of this…..

….. while Pepper is just fed up.

After tea and antibiotics, I decided Pepper would be much happier off the lead (she is not a fan) and I told her that I trusted her to stay around while I put out haynets and fed the ducks/hens.

This was a good decision.

Watching Pepper, I can see that when she is walking (which is rare), she goes on four legs. But if she runs, then it is three legs with hopping. She is not any slower for this and manages to get around.

And now I spend my day saying “no licking”.  Pepper is pretty good, once reminded.

Pepper to the Vet

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It’s been a bit of a day of days to be perfectly honest.

I knew what was in store for Pepper and, once I had fed everyone and got them into their correct fields, we went to the vet.

Pepper was a good girl. She weighed – 7.7kg (so she’s put on a bit, which I wanted after the diagnosis of her tummy troubles) and then popped onto the table for a thorough examination.

And, like I thought, Pepper had cut both front paws.  The left side was a small split between the toes but it was nice and clean, and Pepper wasn’t bothered by it.

The right front paw was much worse. Pepper had a deep tear through her big pad so the vet and I discussed options – ie leave it or stitch.  In the end I said “if she were your dog, what would you do?” and the reply was “I would stitch her” so that was it. Decision made and Pepper went into the kennel because a) there was another patient waiting and b) the vet needed more time since Pepper had eaten breakfast (I kick myself for not making her nil by mouth today). I left her there (*** sniff ***) but luckily my flute-duet friend was there so she regularly visited Pepper for me and sent me updates.

I spent the rest of the day keeping myself occupied while my every thought was with my wee dug.  The phone rang – huzzah – and I went to fetch a hoppity green-bandaged Pepper home.

I have to carry her a lot and she prefers soft ground.  She is also housebound for the foreseeable with daily dressings and antibiotics.

The support staff are barely adequate.  Just sayin’ and I am looking at dog boots to protect her feet.  I think we are in for the long haul.