Tag Archives: Shetland ponies

Newt (sigh)

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Over the years, Newt has not endeared himself to anyone in his herd and he only has himself to blame.  He can be very mean spirited, especially in winter, and mostly about food, kicking out at anyone in his firing line.  He may be small but that little ginger bottom is very quick and quite powerful.  He likes to wheel round and give out both barrels so therefore nobody wants to be near him.

I think it is Tiddles who gets most cross with Newt and tries to keep him in his place.  I know, Tiddles, who hasn’t a mean bone in his body but the exception is Newt.  He hates him.

Luckily for Newt, Silver will just about tolerate him and share the haynet.  I guess it’s because he is so much bigger and, if Newt starts acting up, he can swiftly put him in his place.

The others swap around with food and buckets and eventually reach some sort of peace.

Just not with Newt.  If he can’t be nice, he can’t be their friend and he only has himself to blame.  I refuse to feel sorry for Newt as I’ve seen his little bottom in action – like a tank turret firing as it goes round and round, regardless of aim, just making his point.

Bloody Winter Again!

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A cold but dry morning and I gave everyone their breakfast wishing it would be warmer.

I managed to hide away Vitamin and her bucket so she could eat in peace….

…. but failed with Fivla. She stuck out like a sore thumb because she wouldn’t go into the little sheep-pen with Vitamin (she felt crowded and mildly hysterical).

I also tucked Kolka around another corner to try and keep her from marauding everyone else.  She always eats very quickly and then goes on the rampage.

Over the day, it got increasingly colder and I collared Mandy, who came over to play flute duets, to help me put on rugs again.  We are all very fed up with winter.  These days, it is the gift that just keeps on giving.

So we started with Tiddles who offered to put on his own rug and I put out the haynets too.

I gave the Shetland ponies an extra haynet as the grass isn’t growing in these low temperatures.  No one minded or said no thank you.

Then we went out to the other field and I caught, Mandy held, and I put on everyone’s rugs.  This lot are going to need it – although there is no snow forecast (I pray), but it is going to be very cold over the next few days.

Oh yes, and I did a few more hairstyles to cheer myself up.

I think you will agree that Waffle suits his lucious locks.

But, hold the phone, Ted looks positively regal.  It could not be better (Mum would’ve loved this).

Anyway, back to moaning about the weather. It’s my new hobby or as those influencers are always saying “it is my new obssession!”  (shudder).

Rugs Off!

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It was a lovely sunny day so I took off everyone’s rugs and was surprised that they almost looked like they are putting on weight.

They look less bleak anyway.

And then, after worming everyone (and, yes, I am wearing it myself as well in a rather fetching smear across my shirt), I opened the gate into the big field. This is where they will spend the next few months, leaving the other fields to grow back for when we need them again.

So that’s everyone wormed now and I’ve written it in my Farm Book to remind myself when it was done as I always forget.

I also managed to grab ‘Ster this morning to givce him his homemade ammonium chloride drench and painkillers much to his disgust.  I also had in my pocket two ginger biscuits as a reward for my heinous ministrations.  The ammonium chloride stinks so it probably tastes disgusting too.  I am praying it is working, though as that is all we have to treat him.

;Ster took it like the top chap that he is.  And the biccies.  Such a dear boy.

Tiddles’ rug came off too.  He has his container to run to if he gets cold.

And one day, who knows, I might brush everyone but it’s a bit early for that yet and far too much like hard work.

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.