Tag Archives: Shetland ponies

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.

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.

We Had Visitors

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Today we had visitors.

And, after lunch, I took them out to meet the family.

…. well, the ones that Pepper would allow them to meet.

Of course, Lambie was the star of the show.

….and he accepted his fame from his adoring fans like he always does.

The others milled around introducing themselves if they felt like it.

These ladies are knitters and experts on all things wool, so appreciated the Shetland fleeces.

Note how Haakon went straight for the pockets!  We took no food with us.  So you know, I do not encourage this kind of behaviour.

After a good long time with the sheep and the horses, we went off to visit the little ones on their track of starvation.

Tiddles loved his new friend.

His little happy face!  So sweet.

Even Monster joined in, though quickly left when Albie went up to talk to him.

And then, of course ,Pepper appeared and took all the attention.  I think that’s all she did today.

Anyway, it was lovely to see folk and to show them my strange little world of sheep, ponies and old-age pensioner horses.  And Pepper, always Pepper.

Sheds and Hostages

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To town this morning – physio assessment for me and the annual horse-van service/MOT which I am confident it will fail. When OH and I got home, we were given a huge welcome by everyone.  This is Monster’s feed-me face.  He was two hours early for his tea but optimistic.

After poo-picking the track in a Force 9 – moderate gale – which can only be described as difficult, I had a quick glance at the weather forecast and decided to lug out the carefully put-away rainsheet rugs for the elderly.

As it was so windy, I thought the easiest method would be to open up the little shed and put the rugs on one at a time in there.  No wind = no flapping about.

I successfully did the big ones and thought I would leave it at that but Fivla and Vitamin turned up and looked hopeful.

So I put rugs on them too but just thin ones to act as windcheaters more than anything else.

Iacs quickly made the shed his home.  There is room for others but that can be a tight squeeze.

I decided not to rug up Tiddles. He has the container for shelter. But I also noticed a miserable brown little pony held captive.

Tiddles had stolen the haynet Newt had been eating, blocking him in.

So, being the nice person that I am, I went and got Newt his own haynet.

And I asked Tiddles to try and be a bit nicer to Newt.  He said that wasn’t going to happen any time soon.

So those were my good deeds for the day and can we all pray that horse-van gets through its MOT/service relatively cheaply and eventually passes without me having to sell a kidney or my first born.  I am not holding my breath.