Tag Archives: Shetland ponies

Rug Indecision

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I have spent the day looking out of the window wondering if I have got it all wrong with the horses and ponies’ rugs.  Sometimes it is hot, sometimes cold. I can’t win.

This morning started with sleet, so I felt that everyone was keeping dry and warm in their rugs.  They all have rainsheets on – with no fill.

But then, to spite me, the sun came out and it was lovely.

The horses and ponies still have their rugs on because it is a back-killer to keep nipping out to take them off, put them on, take them off, etc.  It also isn’t very warm (a constant vicious north-west wind) and that sleet was a nasty shock.

And the minute I decided everyone could keep their rugs on, until the wind changes direction and it gets warmer again, the sun beat down unmercilessly.

Of course it ruddy well did.

But I have felt under everyone’s rugs and they are either slightly warm or cool so no one is over-heating – I changed everyone’s rug yesterday and it was very hard work, lugging etc.

At night the temperature dips and the range is about 10 degrees. Tonight is no exception  – the forecast is for -5 °C (RealFeel).

Anyway, Fivla says I can take her rug off in August.

Rugs on?  Rugs off?  Rugs on?  I am very uncertain and tomorrow there is rain all day.  I might be slightly obsessing about this, which doesn’t help.

Anyway, here is today’s hairstyle oeuvre.

Gussie (oh my! swoon)

And Lambie (oh dear)!

Twice a Day Feeds

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I had the dentist (for me, not the horses) first thing this morning. Afterwards, I took one look at Lerwick (there was a large cruise ship in), quickly turned tail and went home.  I had that sudden feeling wanting to go home, though I did manage to nip into the feed merchant on my way.

Anyway, everyone was waiting patiently for me to get back.

I was needed, in my own special way.

After making the statutory hand-felted sheep with feline help (gosh, he was annoying), armed with my bucket and gloves I went outside to quickly poo-pick the track.  Everywhere I went, Haakon was watching me. He kept popping up on my eyeline.  It was as if he was trying to tell me something.

After the track was cleared, I mixed up two buckets of fattening food and quietly put them out into five bowls, hoping I wasn’t noticed.  It is much easier to dish out food without everyone crowding me and arguing.

However, I could see Iacs had already clocked that something was going on.

I distributed fairly and shouted …..

For once, Haakon was right. There was something going on – unexpected food.

While the cold north-west wind continues to blow, the rugs are staying on.  I think we dodged the sleet, though.  Anyway, everyone is very pleased with this new twice a day feeding routine.  They think they are onto a winner.  I think it is not going to be forever.

Tidied and Organised

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I ordered some zip storage bags to put the horses and ponies rugs in – I have an extensive collection because you just never know (that’s my excuse and I am sticking to it). The bags are suprisingly much bigger than I expected. Measuring or sending stuff back is not one of my strengths.  I will never learn but decided to use them nonetheless.

And this is my pile of rugs to be shoved into bags and stored.

My wonderful new shelving did its job and everything is now all organised and easy to grab too.

I have remaining a pile of rugs that I will sell or give away, if anyone wants.  Some are nicer than others.

My smugness knows no bounds at my immense organisational skills.

Iacs’ and Haakon’s rugs went back on at tea time (off in the sunshine for the day) and I am considering nipping out after supper to put the other rugs on as it is going down to -5°C tonight with snow tomorrow (don’t get me started).

The little ones have their hay and containers so they should be fine.

And they all have their thick winter coats too as I am too lazy to groom them yet.  It is certainly not the weather for it.  I might give Tiddles his rug because he needs one.  No one else in that group does.

New Farrier Day

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We were very busy this morning.  There was much to do and get ready.

We had our new farrier coming.

First, I got the old horses and ponies back home from their field across the hill by leading Haakon with all the rest following like the good horses and ponies they are.  Breakfast buckets were waiting as the incentive.

The two old ladies were hidden around the corner so, for once, they could eat a peaceful breakfast.

The sheep didn’t need asking twice to go into their field.  They ran past the horses and ponies (Lambie had his eyes closed) just wanting to stay out of this.

While we waited for the farrier, I let the old ones mooch around eating grass by the house.

Jay was pleasantly early, which I took as a good sign.

Pepper was her usual helpful self – getting in the way over and over again. Next time I might put her in the house.  She was beyond annoying.

Some horses didn’t get trimmed because they didn’t need it and, at one stage, a friend arrived so I threw Haakon’s rope over his neck, left him telling him not to move and to be a good boy for me (Haakon, not the farrier!)

I asked Jay to give me his opinion on each horse and pony as there are times when I honestly wonder if what I am doing is right.

He said no one was fat, all looked good, and best of all absolutely no sign of laminitis.  Newt was the fattest, condition-wise, and Haakon and Iacs were an ok weight coming into spring/summer.

He also commented that everyone was very calm and easy to work.

So I am feeling much happier and thinking this is the way to go.

Spring Day

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This is the usual start to my morning.  Breakfast was over and Monster doesn’t like the word “no”.

When he sat on my iPad, I had to make sure he didn’t fall off (note the widge hanging over the table – not pretty).

Then I went around the Shetland pony track with my bucket and gloves to clear up. I am just coming to the end of Lord of the Rings – the ring is in Mount Doom with Gollum and the hobbits are just traipsing back to find Bilbo who is waiting for Frodo at the Grey Havens.  It’s been a long haul, I won’t deny it, but still it’s a good book to listen to while poo-picking.  One of the greats.

Anyway, I deserved a reward and the weather was nice, so I sat down on a rock and waited to see who wanted to chat.

Waffle

Tiddles close by

For a second, I thought Silver would come up but ….

Tiddles said he couldn’t.

Albie snuck around behind and gave me a kiss.

While Newt was far away and not in a chatty mood.

The ground is finally beginning to dry up.  We haven’t had proper rain for a while and the weather is very spring-like now.

I went into my shed after lunch and there was meowing outside so I let Monster in and, again, he made himself comfortable exactly where I wanted to work.  Of course.

Sometimes things are never easy.  I ended up picking him up and putting him outside.

Pepper is now grounded forever. She has taken to going out in the middle of the night to go hunting probably with Monster.  We have resorted to desperate measures and hopefully we can get break this habit.

Spring!  It has its good and bad sides.  Lovely flowers and bunny rabbits everywhere.