Tag Archives: Shetland

Quickie Blog

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A quickie blog today. I have given myself the day off and am going to go and see Wicked: For Good this afternoon on the big screen at Mareel, the cinema in Lerwick. I am very excited as I loved the first film in this series.

Anyway, everyone is fine and well and enjoying their space and freedom.  My horse and pony care is going by the theme of “less is more”.

The ponies get their freedom and daily breakfast and that is it.  They have shelter from the contours of the land and the drystone walls and 35 acres to find food in.  They seem happy enough and don’t miss track life or their containers.

The old horses and ponies are over the scattald (open hill) in a 5 acre ungrazed field with old buildings (sadly no roofs) to use as shelter.  They are doing well and don’t seem bothered by the bad weather.  No one has a rug on.

I went around everyone to feel for ribs and can honestly say this part of anatomy does not exist.

So, that’s me. I’m off to be a normal person who goes out and has a life accompanied with my weight in Haribo to munch quietly through all afternoon.

 

A Rough Day

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Today was rough (74mph wind recorded today in Fair Isle).  I started my morning with the sheep as they were close by but I couldn’t find Dahlia and Gussie because they like to spend their nights outside in another field.  They hadn’t turned up for breakfast so I just fed the ones who were around.

After nearly being blown over on a couple of occasions while feeding the horses, I went back and put up two haynets for the sheep so, if they decided not to go outside (and no one would blame them), they would have food to eat.

I couldn’t see the Shetland ponies either and it was certainly no weather to go looking in.  Later on in the morning, I spied them huddling by a dry-stone wall and Dahlia and Gussie were close by too.

They came in and I gave them a late breakfast.

This was much to the rage of the hobbitses-sheep who would quite like another one since I had mentioned breakfast again.

I was glad I had found D&G as I worry more in this weather.

I think Maggie was pleased to see her hill friends too.  She spends a lot of time with them. Maybe it’s a black sheep thing.

Dahlia gave me a lovely smile.

And so did Gussie-Dustbin (his new name).

When I went back outside the ponies had come closer and were now asking for their breakfast, which I luckily had with me, so they ate it and bounced off again.  The weather is calming down now. I have run out of outdoor clothes. They are all soaked through.

Happy Little Chaps

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I couldn’t see the Shetland ponies anywhere when I went into the field with their breakfast.  So I called and they appeared over the hill……

It is good to see everyone move well and look so happy in their new found freedom.

The ponies quickly found their buckets. All except Albie, of course.  He just has to share Waffle’s, much to Waff’s annoyance.

So I dragged over another bucket.

And everyone was happy, though Waffle probably thought Albie should share his now bigger portion.

Tiddles has his own private space.

And Newt’s back leg is quietly poised to cause as much annoyance as possible.  I should’ve moved him.  I know what he likes to do – kick out at anyone too close.

At the moment, I am going by the theory that the ponies won’t notice the filthy weather ahead (the next 24 hours – F10 with rain, temperatures dropping) because they have 30 acres of field and grass to play and eat in.  When I got the sheep home this evening, I couldn’t see the ponies anywhere so that’s a good sign.

Non Christmassy

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It has been a lovely day.  The light, peace, no wind….all glorious.

I fed the Shetland ponies who insisted on coming down afterwards into the little paddock, which was a bore because I wanted to get the sheep out while convincing them that they could all live together in perfect harmony.

Waffle was not helpful and insisted on stalking with a hint of chasing but I am hoping Gussie will stand his ground and make friends with them all and Waffle will give up.

The rest of the sheep are pretty scared of the ponies and rushed off into the bigger part of the field for the rest of the day.

I know Tiddles wouldn’t be horrid. It’s just Waffle. He can be difficult.  We’ll see how it goes. If the sheep refuse to go into the field tomorrow, then there are plenty of others to eat in.

And so to town for a spot of Christmas shopping.

I didn’t feel particularly Christmassy but I like to be organised and to know I have options.

Failing dismally, I went to see my sheep field.

I added more sheep and rearranged it a bit for good measure.

On my way home, the views were spectacular.  So good, in fact, that I stopped the car twice to take photos.

My spirit was soothed.  Now to find my Christmas one.

Pastures New

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I have figured why the Shetland ponies didn’t want to run around yesterday – they were depressed at their miserable living conditions.  The track has become increasingly nastier by the day.

So I made a decision, one that I have been thinking about for a while.  I caught four of the ponies (Tiddles, Silver, Albie and Waffle) while Newt followed like a good boy and led them all into the back field which has been grazed right down by everyone else first.

The transformation was immediate.

The ponies couldn’t believe their luck.

And off they rushed.  Tiddles stopping first for a quick roll.

He quickly caught up with his friends.

And I left everyone to explore and graze praying to all the Gods that I’ve done the right thing.

Next it was the turn of the big ones.  I decided that Iacs could follow and OH and I led the everyone over to Clothie, my 5 acre field.  But Iacs had other ideas and buggered off at a stonking trot down our track heading for the road.  OH offered to take everyone while I went after Iacs but I said (knowing his little ways) that he would soon be back and concentrated on getting Haakon, Kolka, Vitamoobag and Fivla into their field.

I was right.  Iacs soon realised he was on his own and we heard the sound of galloping and he quickly appeared, putting himself through the field gate to rejoin the others.

Silly boy and stupid me for trusting him.  I should’ve known better.

So this lot are all happy too.

Later, I returned to see how the Shetland ponies were getting on.  I had a word with Tiddles about staying well this winter.

I also told them this was all they were getting (and their morning minerals/vitamins)

Tiddles said he would try to not to be ill again.  I hope I haven’t made a huge mistake.