Tag Archives: Shetland ponies

Feeling Sorry for the Shetland Ponies

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I was feeling sorry for the Shetland ponies (Waffle, Tiddles, Newt, Silver and Albie) who have been living on the track all summer.  It must be very boring for them.

And they’ve been so good, sticking to their diet, never once (so far) trying to escape, accepting their very miserable fate of pulling hay out of a double-thickness haynet with the tiniest holes ever.  It’s not easy trying to find a scrap of food if you’re a fat little pony.

But they’re looking good. They’ve managed to escape laminitis, so far, and everyone is well.

So, as it is very calm outside, I gave the ponies their daily ration of hay in a big pile and told them to enjoy it.

The equine dentist had also remarked when he visited, that he could see evidence of wear from the double haynets.  If it’s not one thing, it’s another. I can’t seem to do right for doing wrong.  Teeth or laminitis …. you choose.

But a few calm days of loose hay for a change surely makes the chaps happy.

And they must have some quality of life. That’s very important.

Once the grass loses its autumn sugar flush, all the ponies will go into the big field that has been grazed all spring/summer by the others.

Then they can have a holiday from track life.  I think we are all looking forward to that.

Kolka Update

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Kolka seems a lot more like her strong 32 year old self today.

She is alert, interested and eating better, although still stiff when she walks but there is more range of movement in her hind legs.

She remains on twice daily painkillers, an injection of antibiotics (which she is very good about – it’s a big one with a large needle), probiotics and is mostly living outside with her waterproof rug on.

Her eating is more enthusiastic too, which is encouraging.

Fivla and Vitamin are close by shouting for their herd but they have to stay where they are as the grass around the house is too rich for them, especially this time of year.

However, the sheep are very unimpressed with this new set-up.

I have barred the entrance to their shed so they can still come and go if they want with no horses inside.

And opposite, the horses can do the same if they want shelter.   There is food and water there too.

So, turn left if you’re a horse and right if you’re a sheep.

As I write, absolutely no one has worked out my marvellous piece of shed management.

But I think the long rich grass, the pottering about with her friends is what Kolka needs to keep her mind and her guts active.

So, keep thinking and praying for Kolka as I keep forgetting she is 32 years old. Yesterday’s drama was not something an old lady should have to go through.  I thank the Gods we got to her when we did.

Gussie and ‘Ster

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I would be lying if I said it’s been a busy day.

The same old, same old – just as I like it.

That was until the sheep came home.

It started with Maggie wanting in the house for a biscuit.  She asked so nicely. How could I refuse.

Note, Gussie and ‘Ster were behind and about to have a row.  Lambie wanted no part of this (just his biccie, pelase) and everyone else is hoping they will stop. I was rather worried for my Eggbox parked close by.

There was a clash of horns but nothing much.  At this stage, Lambie has disowned them and Barrel was hoping they would stop now.

So I shouted at Gussie and ‘Ster telling them to “pack it in”.   I love the look of them both almost denying all knowledge – “who, us?”

But then Gussie was spoiling for another go – he had that look in his eye – one of steely determination.

Gussie started squaring up to ‘Ster who did not need this grief but would give as good as he gets.

I decided on a diversionary tactic and called ‘Ster over. I told him to let it go, Gussie was not worth it and then shovelled biscuits in as a reward for being the bigger sheep about it all.  Lambie’s raging face was a picture.  He hates hassle, rows and roughhousing.

The sheep all settled down again.

A Day of Two Halves

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It was chucking it down this morning and so the sheep, after their breakfast in the shed, went on strike refusing to go into their field for the day. In return I refused to give them haynets because it was raining.  There’s plenty of grass outside if they want food.  There will be haynets when it snows (and they are all very fat).

My morning was spent researching for the Diaries – going through old family photos, correspondence, making discoveries and looking for anything relevant to include.

Meanwhile, the weather slowly cleared up ….

….. and soon the sun was shining

The Shetland ponies got their haynets for tea.

And I found all the sheep had in fact gone outside, crawled under a fence and were happily eating the long grass in an ungrazed field.

This is a winter field which will be for the old horses and ponies – it offers plenty of natural shelter, and has a forever-running stream.  The sheep also love it here and can let themselves in and out when they want (by crawling under the fence).

That is everyone except for Ster who has to walk through the garden to get out, though he can get back on his own (phew!)

Apparently it is a rather heavenly field, according to Madge.   Funny to think that all the grass will be eaten down in just a few months’ time.  Winter is looming now. I’m dreading it.

Asking, Always Asking

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I took this photo on Sunday evening after we had finished supper.

Nothing is ever wasted here, and OH was busy stripping the roast chicken joint for any meat before the bones were made into stock, ready for another meal.

Monster had already stolen OH’s chair at the table and was hopeful, always hopeful.  Everyone got a piece(s) except for Pepper who has a bad reaction/intolerance to chicken.  She got a pile of her biccies, which she adores so didn’t really mind.  I think she now understands that chicken makes her miserable and ill.

Breakfast today was a windy affair.

And then very rainy so I spent some of my morning attacking the 1985 Diaries – tidying them up and making the format similar to the one I have at last settled on 75 years later!  It hasn’t helped either that WordPress changed their methods too.

I still can’t read some of the diary pages.  If you fancy a stab at it, let me know your results.  All help is most welcome.

Later in the day, waiting for me on my doorsteap were the ducks who were asking for their tea.  Everyone always asks for something around here.

And then ‘Ster appeared too.  He was asking for biscuits – obviously.

As was Gussie.  He does love a biccie.

Pepper was optimistic she might get something.

And Monster was asking to be let out.  My family are very communicative.