Tag Archives: Shetland ponies

The Weather Deteriorated

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As flute duets were over by three, I went out early this afternoon.  Another reason was because the weather was deteriorating (rain and a fierce wind) and the little ponies were all waiting for me looking hopeful.

So I went into the big shed where the hay bales live and stuffed a bit more into their haynets.  I think it is going to be a harsh night and I felt sorry for the little boys. These days, the track is really pretty bare.

But I don’t think anyone is looking slim or even thinking of  losing weight.

But the ponies also have their choice of the two containers and no doubt they will choose the one that is least affected by the wind and rain and all pile into it for the night.

And hopefully they will all be feeling happy and full of hay too.

I must admit I do still look at Silver and rather wish I had persevered more with detangling his mane properly rather than giving up and cutting (more like hacking) it.

I get the feeling Silver hasn’t really forgiven me for my heinous crime – it really is not the done thing here to cut a Shetland pony’s mane.

Back to a Normal Saturday

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I took this panoramic photo to show where everyone eats their breakfast.

From right to left, which is also the order I feed them:-

Kolka in the corner, with a touch more food than everyone else so she doesn’t got off to steal Haakon’s.
Haakon, who also has a sachet of boswellia added and is a slow eater.
Iacs – he has his four anti-cancer pills in his food at the top so if he is pushed off his food, at least I know he ate them.
Then Vitamin who eats very quickly. Wolfs it down.  She would only steal from Fivla, if she could.
And lastly Fivla who is possibly the slowest eater in the whole world (Haakon is a close second).

Once everyone has eaten and I have done all the remainder of my chores (put tomorrow’s food on to soak, put the sheep out in their field, swept up the sheep shed), I go back to the horses’ field and collect their buckets to take away and wash.

There was a soft light this morning and Iacs looked particularly nice in it.

He is very much an autumnal chap, I think.

I went inside and made a quick breakfast for myself, and then left the house, much to Pepper’s dismay.

Saturday mornings have gone back to being for Turriefield again.  There was lots of vegetables to weigh, pack and label.

I was particularly taken with the natural fractal geometry of Romanesco broccoli (I had to look that up).

It is extraordinary.  Nature at it’s cleverest.

And back home again just before lunch to my ever-waiting wee dug, Pepper, who has since followed me everywhere ever just in case I wanted to go out again without her.  That’s not happening on her watch.

A Special Place in Hell Waiting

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There is a special place in Hell waiting for me.

I did something you should never do.

In fairness, I had no choice.

I cut some of Silver’s mane off.  Ok, it was actually a large chunk.

But in my defence, Silver had a big “witches’ knot” and I couldn’t unravel it no matter how hard I tried so in the end I took the scissors to it telling myself it is only hair that will grow back.  And then I cut it off.

Witches’ knots are surrounded by folklore:-

A witches’ knot (also called a fairy knot or elf lock) in a horse’s mane is a tight, stubborn tangle that forms overnight:-

  • Midnight Rides: Old European legend says that witches, fairies, or elves ride horses through the night and braid or knot the hair to use as stirrups and reins (all I can say is good luck with that!)

  • Bad Luck: Folklore warns that untangling these knots brings bad luck or angers the spirits who chose the horse  (I didn’t untangle, I cut it out so I am probably double-doomed then).

  • Compliment: Some believe a knotted mane means your horse is a favorite of magical creatures (I doubt very much that Silver is a favourite of any magical creature!)

Actually witches’ knots are caused by the unceasing Shetland wind and are a real bore to get out.

I don’t think Silver was very impressed with me – he’s already lost his forelock to a greasy mat that I did manage to tease out.

Anyway, it’s not like anyone is going into the show ring very soon but I hope the others don’t point and laugh.

Moved Them (again)

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After writing my blog, I sent Kolka’s vet the photos of her scar. She told me to stop the painkillers now and I realised that there was no reason to keep this herd in the winter field, eating all my emergency grass for when it snows.

So I went to move them all, but some were having a mid-morning nap.  I hate disturbing them when they are sleeping but they needed to go.

Eventually, with a little encouragement, they shifted because one of them noticed the gate was wide open and an open gate can only mean one thing…… I told them it didn’t and they were to get themselves down to their next fiel.

Fivla took a bit more encouraging.  She had settled in for the day, I think.

I had shut the gates around the track so there would be no unwanted small Shetland pony appearances and the ancients meandered their way in an unhurried fashion down to their old field, which is much nicer and has far more shelter.

They all know this field well, and I am praying Kolka just stays sane and out of trouble.

And she also has Vitamin and Fivla with her, so they will keep her right.

I hope they were listening. So we will see how they go.

A Windy Weekend

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It’s been a very windy weekend and everyone is feeling a bit blown about.

(though, it hasn’t stopped anyone eating).

Today was much nicer than yesterday which was interspersed by occasional violent rain showers, taking everyone by surprise – 3 pairs of trousers hanging up to dry due to far too much optimism.

The older chaps are still in their “safety” field where Kolka can easily see everyone and hopefully calm down a bit.

Their routine is the same and, although I hadn’t planned for anyone to eat this field down just yet, I tell myself it is good for this lot to “take the top off” so the Shetland ponies can go in later, or it will make a good field if it snows – close to the containers but has some grass in it.

I am still giving Kolka a large dose of painkillers to deter her from being annoyed with her healing wound.  I really don’t want her scratching and opening it up and I am pleased with how it is looking.

  

Kolka’s vet is being kept fully up-to-date too.

I am due to go south in a few weeks so I am desperate for Kolka and everyone else to behave and for Kolka to go back to her normal again with no more accidents, please.  Pretty please even.

 

I have told Kolka this.  Hmmmm!  I do hope she was listening.